Cell phone tower approved

By Aaron Wiens

Verizon’s plan to build a cell phone tower adorned with clocks and crosses was approved by the plan commission Wednesday.

If approved by the city council, the tower will be 115 to 130 feet tall, depending on how many other service providers want to place service on it.

The commission voted 3-1 to grant the special permit for the tower, which would stand next to Immanuel Lutheran Church, 511 Russell Road.

Plan Chair Rich Fassig and members John Guio and Vincent Frye voted in favor while Nancy Vedral opposed.

There was some concern about allowing a curb cut onto Annie Glidden Road by some commission members.

“I voted no simply because of the curb cut,” Vedral said. “That area is ugly already. A curb cut would just make it worse.”

Fassig said he also had concerns with the curb cut.

“My concern is people slowing down on Annie Glidden Road,” he said. “People might slow down and turn in there not knowing where it goes.”

The commission stipulated there be no advertising on the tower. Only the clocks and crosses will be permitted.

In other business, the commission voted 4-0 to resubdivide the property next to Market Square Cinemas, 2160 Sycamore Road.

The redivision of the property will provide several one-acre sites that will not have access to County Farm Road but will be adjacent to it.

“We think these are usable lots and we would like to use them,” DeKalb County Administrator Ray Bockman said.

There are no plans for development of the properties yet, but some said there are neighborhood needs.

“That area needs a good pancake house like IHOP or something,” Bockman said.

The next plan commission meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 27 at the DeKalb Municipal Building 200 S. Fourth St.