The idea of erecting a 180-foot cellular tower in Seymour Lake Park was greeted favorably by the Oxford Township Planning Commission last week.
‘I’m all for it,? said Commissioner George Black.
Ron Davis, director of the township parks and recreation department, approached planning commissioners to gauge their feelings on the concept before investing the necessary time and taxpayer money to make it happen.
T-Mobile is looking to construct the monopole in the park’s maintenance area, which is located in the northeast corner near Seymour Lake Rd.
The land would be leased from the township and any revenues generated by the tower would go directly to the township parks and recreation department.
‘I think it’s all of our responsibility to have a vision to generate additional (funding) resources to enhance the community without going back and forth to the taxpayers and this is a great opportunity to do so,? Davis said.
Davis was not sure how much money this tower could generate for his department, but he told commissioners that other municipalities are receiving anywhere from $25,000 to $50,000 per tower annually.
The proposed tower would have the capability of being utilized by up to four different wireless carriers.
Davis said he recently attended a meeting of parks/rec. directors from around the state and erecting cell towers in parks is a ‘common thing? these days.
‘Over half of them have cell towers in their parks,? he said.
Commissioner Pat Fitchena reminded Davis that the last time he proposed doing this back in 2001, ‘quite a few? residents attended the meeting and were ‘very, very verbal about not wanting the tower.? Ultimately, it was denied.
She asked how he proposed to ‘win them over? this time.
Davis said back then he never had the opportunity to sit down with residents and discuss their concerns, the aesthetics, the benefits, etc. It was ‘shot down? at the meeting and that was it.
Black suggested to Davis that if he wants the cell tower to fly this time, he’d better have an initial meeting with the surrounding residents because they’re the main obstacle.
‘That was your biggest stumbling block (seven) years ago,? he said. ‘That’s why we turned it down. There was just too many human bodies that didn’t want it.?
Black told Davis if he can get the residents on his side, ‘you’re clean.?
Township Planner Don Wortman, vice president of the Ann Arbor-based Carlisle/Wortman Associates, Inc., reminded everyone that the ordinance governing cell towers in public parks and on municipal-owned sites is ‘fairly restrictive.?
For instance, according to the ordinance, the tower’s design must have the appearance of ‘a steeple, bell tower or other form compatible with the existing character of the proposed site, neighborhood and general area.?
Wortman asked Graham Packer, who’s company, the Birmingham-based Talon Advisory Group, is working for T-Mobile on this project, if he would be able to comply with such restrictions.
‘I believe so,? said Packer, noting he’s willing to work with the township on issues such as design and location.
Davis assured the planning commission he has no desire to ‘jeopardize? the ‘integrity? of any township park ‘just to make a buck.?
‘If it’s not aesthetically pleasing to my eye, we’re not putting it in,? he said.
Commissioner Kallie Roesner indicated she would rather see revenues from a cell tower benefiting the community as opposed to a private individual or business.
‘I think we should keep those services on municipal properties or (in) parks, so township residents get the benefit,? she said.