Concern Over Proposed Cell Phone Tower

My wife and I attended the Midco meeting held on Aug. 19 at the McCoart Building. The main agenda topic was the cell phone tower proposed to be erected on the grounds of the cemetery at the intersection of Bacon Race Road and Davis Ford Road. 

The proposed tower is to be 120-feet-tall and in the style of a flag pole. As we arrived a few minutes late, we sat in the back.

After the meeting, my wife and I had additional discussions and we both brought up ideas we wished we had mentioned at the meeting. The first is the height of the proposed tower, 120 feet. I wanted to have a height reference so we went to the power substation on Route 234 located about midway between where Rte. 234 intersects with Hoadly Road and where Rte. 234 intersects with Purcell Road. 

We chose for comparison the tall poles used for power distribution for the substation. Using the method of similar triangles, we estimate those power line poles to be approximately 93-feet-tall. I can provide details on the method if you wish.  

Based on the foregoing, the proposed cell tower would be about 30 feet higher than these power line poles, quite a height. If this cell tower was placed at the cemetery, it would be nearly twice as tall as any of the tress in the area; a magnificent lightening rod. We doubt that any cosmetic camouflage could make such a tower seem to be insignificant or hardly noticeable. The thing will be huge.  

Next, let us consider this proposed tower as a flag pole as suggested by the T-Mobile representative [Jim Michals, a lawyer representing T-Mobile's case]. We have a three foot by five foot flag we display at our home. If this were the flag to be displayed at the top of a 120-feet-tall flag pole, it would be insignificant. So, to maintain the flag pole illusion, any banner would have to be rather large, itself. 

An eight foot by 12 foot flag costs about $100. But there are specific rules that go along with displaying our flag, a living entity. First, it is raised in the morning and taken down at night. Who will do this? Who will bring the flag down when the weather becomes inclement? Who will be certain to replace the flag when it becomes worn in service? Will the retired flag be destroyed appropriately? 

Frankly, I believe the choice of a flag pole style for this proposed tower is a none-too-subtle appeal to patriotism for T-Mobile to get their way. After all, who would be opposed to displaying the flag? To be fair, the church tending the cemetery does incur some expenses to maintain the cemetery. Do we or Midco have any idea what these expenses are? And what tasks are necessary at the cemetery? If Midco was to take a position opposing the proposed Cell Phone Tower, and we think they should, would it be appropriate for Midco to assist the Church in identifying another source of support for the cemetery? 

We have been given to understand that space rental for a cell tower is about $1,500 per month (I have no idea how accurate this estimate is but it was given to me by a person who had formerly negotiated those charges). In summary, we believe that Midco should oppose that erection of the proposed cell phone tower for the reasons given above. If you wish to discuss anything contained in this letter, our contact information is below. Thank you.

Steven and Kathryn Ross