Rolling Meadows rejects lower height limit for cell towers
Rolling Meadows aldermen have rejected a proposal to reduce the permitted height of cellphone towers citywide, saying the move would be anti-business.
Meanwhile, an application by Verizon Wireless to install a 75-foot pole in Kimball Hill Park remains pending, city officials said.
The city attorney drafted an ordinance to limit antenna heights to 45 feet - down from 75 feet - in response to outcry from residents near the park who complained about the effect the cell tower would have on property values.
On Tuesday night, Alderman Nick Budmats called for a motion to reconsider the council's 4-0 vote two weeks earlier to deny the ordinance. Only four aldermen were at the first meeting, but all seven aldermen were there for this week's meeting.
Budmats' motion failed 4-3, meaning the original vote stands.
Alderman Mike Cannon said the ordinance was counterproductive to the city's recent efforts to be more business-friendly.
Alderman Laura Majikes, whose Ward 3 includes Kimball Hill Park, had opposed the cell tower in response to residents' concerns.
Verizon, represented by Central States Tower, initially sought a 110-foot pole but scaled it back to 75 feet after community pushback. The latest proposal doesn't require special permission from the council, but its application is still in limbo amid plan review comments from the city staff.
City officials requested the tower not have a flag or be illuminated, and asked whether the tower could be moved 600 feet east - closer to the rear of the Rolling Meadows Shopping Center on Kirchoff Road and away from the backyards of homes.
Officials say they haven't yet received an official response from Central States. As a result, the application hasn't been approved.
The Rolling Meadows Park District - a separate governmental institution - inked a 25-year agreement under which it will receive $24,000 a year for leasing its land to Central States. Amy Charlesworth, the park district's executive director, said Wednesday she hasn't heard about the status of the proposed antenna since the application process between the company and city has been ongoing.