The planning commission received an application in October for a new cell tower proposed by AT&T to be erected near Burpee Road between Gale and Vassar roads. The 177-foot structure, to be built and owned by Indiana-based Fortune Wireless Corporation, is necessary, according to the application submitted to the township, to meet coverage objectives reducing dropped calls.
Rick Misek, planning commission chairperson said the request is the first for the township in about 10 years.
‘So far there’s been enough room on the existing towers in the township,? said Misek. ‘It’s understandable that a new tower may be necessary’about 20 percent of American households do not have copper wire going into their home. Many have changed to wireless for all their communications.
‘The tower will be an eyesore’a public nuisance,? he said. ‘The township cell tower ordinance requires if possible to construct the tower on township property, unless the tower must be built on private land for coverage reasons. Where they have requested the tower is only about 4,000 feet from the township hall and 2,500 feet from an elementary school.?
Misek said Fortune Wireless was rather vague in specifying why the tower should be built on private land.
‘It will be our first question,? he said. ‘The elevation is about the same between public and private lands.?
Misek estimates the tower will glean about $20,000 per month from the company to lease the property.
‘That’s a lot of money for the county coffers or the school,? said Misek.
The Atlas Township Planning Commission convenes at 7 p.m., Nov. 16, 7386 South Gale Road, Goodrich.