Cell tower in Monroe approved
Published 10:20 pm Wednesday, June 2, 2010
MONROE — T-Mobile can build a cellphone tower near a public park now that the City Council has signed off on the cell phone company’s plan.
Some residents living near Stanton Meadows Park were disheartened by the council’s Tuesday night decision. They objected to the tower, saying it wouldn’t meet code.
City officials, however, said that the section of the code singled out by the neighbors didn’t apply in this case.
“I’m not sure what I can do about this specifically, but I’m definitely going to keep an eye on what’s going on in the city,” said Kari McPhail, who has helped lead the charge against the tower.
T-Mobile plans to put the 65-foot tower in an industrial zone that abuts Stanton Meadows Park, a 5-acre spot where neighborhood children play.
Some residents living along 149th Street SE are concerned about the tower’s impact, saying it will be an eyesore and may pose health risks.
However, those aren’t valid reasons to object. The tower is going to be painted in a manner that meets code, and the American Cancer Society says towers don’t pose any known health risks.
So instead, the neighborhood objected by turning to the city code. They noted that a section says cell phone towers need to be mostly concealed by trees.
City officials and an independent hearing examiner said that section of the code conflicts with the nature of industrial parks, which are generally free from tall trees, and so doesn’t apply.
The City Council voted 4-1 in support of T-Mobile’s plan. Councilmen Tony Balk, Tom Williams, Kurt Goering and Councilwomen Margie Rodriguez voted in the majority.
Councilwoman Patsy Cudaback sided with the residents, saying she disagreed with the hearing examiner’s interpretation of the code.
Councilman John Stima recused himself from the vote since he has family living in the neighborhood.
Construction on the tower could begin this summer, city planner Ben Swanson said.
The neighbors will get to watch that work from their front porches.
“As the economy recovers and property values recover, moving is definitely a consideration for our family,” McPhail said.
Andy Rathbun: 425-339-3455; arathbun@heraldnet.com.
