Cell tower talks divide opinion

Last week, Pine Haven hosted a public hearing to listen to and answer residents’ questions and concerns regarding the possible revision of the ordinance governing installing communication towers on private land.

This may lead to permission for a 145-foot above-ground high communication tower to be installed on TJ and Mandy Gideon (TMG)’s Cedar Ridge RV Park property, immediately neighboring the town’s community center to the west.

Pine Haven Mayor Karla Brandenburg opened the meeting with an assurance, “Tonight is information only about this project…There has been no decision and almost no discussion by the council or the planning and zoning. There’s a lot of work that is going to have to be done to make this come to fruition, so we wanted to make sure we found out what your opinions were before we did all that work… This is the time for us all to learn what’s really going on.”

The mayor then introduced Trevor Crow, consultant and project manager with Hoss Consulting Inc., the firm working for Verizon LLC. Verizon LLC is the company seeking an “ideal location” in which to install a communication tower to enhance cell service, internet and, subsequently, emergency connectivity.

Crow admitted the current spot was not the company’s first choice. However, the property owners they originally contacted quit negotiations for undisclosed reasons and chose not to continue with the installation, forcing Crow to seek another site.

The Gideon site is still within the necessary criteria and, if the tower is allowed, the company plans for permission to carry four delivery services: Verizon first and three other “granted spaces” leased to other carriers.

This method of sharing began with the federal telecommunications act set in place in 1996, prohibiting carriers from building individual towers in the same locale that create unsightly clutter on the area’s skyline. Crow cited Douglas, WY as an example of this trend before the act was established: “They would build towers right next to one another and it was not attractive.”

The project manager shared the reason for Verizon’s interest in the Pine Haven territory:

“Apparently, there is a large number of users in this area who do not have service. There is also a push for more data coming through these towers versus what it used to be so internet services and whatnot is also what this tower [project] proposes.”

To mitigate any significant aesthetic intrusion to Pine Haven’s view, the tower can be painted to reflect the surrounding scenery.

“Byron, [Wyoming] has been very accepting of a tower within their city limits as long as we painted it a color they approved,” the spokesman illustrated. Pine Haven could ensure this same camouflage with a mandated building permit.

Crow suggested the installation could, “also help the city with future population growth. I know there are developments outside of town and those people will probably need better cell service”. Those living and working in town proper currently have approximately one-two bars, not allowing calls to get through.

For the most part, Crow’s audience was prepared for the opportunity to ask pertinent questions like coverage, noise from the equipment, etc.

He answered that the tower installation, if accepted, will serve as far as State Highway 14, County Highway 113, most, if not all of Keyhole Reservoir and, of course, Pine Haven. The lights covering the equipment on the ground will be on timers and a protective fence will surround the entire kit.

“And we’ve confirmed that the tower does not require a tower light, there will not be blinking lights on the tower,” he said.

This facility will be below the minimum height for such mandatory lighting.

One mother asked about the safety of her children, living so close to the potential health hazard, expressing her belief that the radiation from the tower would be ionized.

Crow explained the difference, “I’m sure you’re all aware of how to protect yourselves from ionizing radiation – that’s the one that affects human DNA. The nonionizing radiation waves include car radios, television, etc.” These nonionized waves are the type that would emanate from the tower.

Whether mistakenly or deliberately, there were a couple of individuals who attempted to disseminate misinformation or information not relevant to the proceedings, but the spokesman and mayor were prepared for these possible issues and responded accordingly.

Larry Glenn spoke to the real need for better cell service for first responders in the area.

“I’m one of the first responders here in town… It may come as a surprise to some of you, but when I’m on the lake, a lot of times, with the coverage we have right now, I don’t get our people’s response. If there are many of us, whether EMTs, who drive the ambulance or the fire department, if we can’t get to those people… One of these times, we’re going to lose somebody because we can’t get the service… I’ve been asked multiple time ‘Didn’t you get that call?’”

“Long time Pine Haven resident and former owner of the Empire RV Park and tackle shop Mike Smith was eventually asked to leave the room when he refused to follow proper etiquette by not allowing others to listen as he actively disrupted the proceedings.

TJ and Mandy Gideon, having a vested interest, sat quietly, listening to the concerns of their neighbors as this initial step to determine the town’s citizens’ thoughts on the subject drew to a close.