Smartlink, representing AT&T, determined there’s an area in the town of Menifee, CA that needs better cell phone coverage. Though alternate locations were suggested, AT&T has said that the Wheatfield Park site is the only viable location, reports Menifee247.com. “We’ve received a lot of complaints about the service in this area,” said Alexis Hadley Dunlap of Smartlink, Inc..
The proposal for the Wheatfield Park location would hide the tower behind a clock tower facade. The structure itself would be 70 feet tall, and placed to the rear of the park’s multi-purpose room. When questioned why this site was selected, Tyler Kent of AT&T responded, “Wheatfield is the only one that was zoneable and had a willing landlord.”
Residents looked for a loophole that would allow Menifee to circumvent the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Assistant city attorney, Ajit Thind, told the planning commission, “Federal law limits what a city can consider regarding the request for a wireless communication tower. We’re not allowed to consider radio emissions. I know concerns have been expressed by the public, but the issues we can consider are limited to things like aesthetics and zoning issues.”
In a 3-2 vote, the Menifee Planning Commission turned down AT&T’s request for a conditional use permit. Responding to claims that AT&T was forcing the cell tower placement, Kent explained: “We’re not forcing anybody. The FCC is forcing this. We’ve been having this discussion for years.” The denial indicates that the discussion is not over.
“AT&T does want to play nice with the neighbors. However, we don’t have many options,” Dunlap said.
August 19, 2019
The post Smartlink Done ‘Playing Nice’ in Menifee appeared first on Inside Towers.