Support for one cell tower, trepidation for another

Two cell phone towers on the table, two very different responses from the community.

The Bartlett village board Tuesday unanimously approved allowing Verizon Wireless to put up a cell phone tower in the Brewster Creek Business Park.

The proposal moved through the necessary government channels quickly and with little fanfare, a stark contrast to the cell phone tower U.S. Cellular is looking to build.

Chicago-based U.S. Cellular's proposal has triggered an online petition against it that has since grown to more than 400 signatures. And signs reading "No to massive cell tower" can be seen in yards across town.

Both towers would provide added conveniences for the community, but village officials recognize different sets of circumstances.

Aesthetics aren't much of an issue in an industrial area like Brewster Creek, where Verizon said there's a gap in coverage. And Verizon's cell tower will be attached to an existing 105-foot-tall ComEd pole, extending just 10 feet above that.

U.S. Cellular wants to build its 140-foot tower at 600 S. Bartlett Road, adjacent to Apple Orchard Park and just south of Town Center. Its structure would mean new construction.

"Surely there is a better commercial location or less obtrusive location being considered for this behemoth," Bartlett resident Renee La Bud wrote.

The online petition lists several reasons urging the village, plan commission and park district boards to work with U.S. Cellular to find an alternative.

It states the tower doesn't belong in a residential neighborhood, isn't the least intrusive solution and requires a massive zoning variance. The petition also claims the tower offers no shared financial benefits and isn't consistent with Bartlett's strategic plan.

Village attorney Bryan Mraz said the Verizon tower has moved forward because of those facts, while the U.S. Cellular application has remained in limbo for months.

The Verizon tower will be located on the east side of Spitzer Road. In addition to Brewster Creek, Verizon officials said customers on the west side of Bartlett, particularly those near Route 59 up north toward Lake Street and West Bartlett Road, will also see improved coverage.