Cell tower in park approved
The Mount Pleasant City Commission decided Monday to allow rezoning of a portion of property in Chipp-A-Waters Park, 1403 W. High St., for the construction of a cell phone tower.
Once built, the tower will be owned by the city, rented out to cell phone coverage companies and will provide additional funding for the city's Water Department Fund and General Fund.
The tower will take up a 40-foot by 60-foot space in the northwest corner of the park, located at the intersection of Bradley and High Streets.
The previous City Commission meeting on June 22 brought in more than eight residents concerned about the cell phone tower. Residents and their supporters came to speak at Monday's meeting as well.
Resident concerns included park aesthetics and the location's close proximity to an area Girl Scout cabin and activity area.
Two other alternatives were suggested as potential locations as well as the original location. The commission decided on the second alternative, located farthest away from the Girl Scout cabin.
Rachel Sherwood, a Mount Pleasant resident, cited aesthetic concerns, no guarantee of income from the tower and visitors coming to the parks as reasons she was against the cell phone tower. Visitors who come to the parks also stay in the city's hotels and go to local restaurants, she said.
A concern brought up by commissioners was the possibility of allotting further space in the enclosure if more tenants applied for cell tower usage.
Bill Yeagley, Mount Pleasant director of public safety, said the space would accommodate up to three users.
"Three users would fit in that 40-by-60 space quite comfortably," he said.
Another concern of the commission was if the market would disappear as technology broadens. The tower could be dismantled at a cost of $20,000 to $30,000.
The city could earn around $50,000 a year if three companies rent space on the tower.
City Commissioners Kathleen Ling and Sharon Tilmann vocally opposed the tower's construction. Tilmann cited the public's opposing views as a reason for her opinion.
"I think it comes down to us being good stewards of the park (for) the people," she said.
Vice Mayor Bruce Kilmer said aesthetics are important for Mount Pleasant parks, but did not think the cell phone tower will hurt the city's look.
The tower will be built by Metro PCS and owned by the city. It will generate revenue for the city by renting out tower space to other companies. Metro PCS will enter a five-year, rent-free agreement and will pay rent to the city starting at $18,000 in its sixth year.
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