Gurnee mayor encouraging residents to dump T-Mobile

Gurnee Mayor Kristina Kovarik says T-Mobile isn't playing nice and wants residents who subscribe to the company's wireless telephone service to send a message by dropping it.

Kovarik said she became upset with T-Mobile after it refused to reconsider plans to build a 150-foot cellular tower on a slice of private land in unincorporated Lake County, bordering two Gurnee subdivisions.

Opponents in the South Ridge and Rolling Ridge subdivisions contend the tower would detract from their homes, which are near Hunt Club Road and Washington Street on the village's west side.

Kovarik said Thursday consumerism often is the best way to get a company's attention. She said T-Mobile needs to realize it isn't being fair to Gurnee.

"Cancel T-Mobile," said Kovarik, referring to a message to Gurnee residents she first delivered at a public meeting this week. "Absolutely. Is this the way they're going to treat neighborhoods?"

Mark Wilson, T-Mobile's central region external affairs manager, said the company didn't have a reaction to Kovarik's position. He said T-Mobile is meeting customer demand for improved wireless service in residential areas.

Wilson said industry studies show cell towers typically increase - not decrease - home values.

"I think they're part of the landscape in America today," Wilson said. "Cell phone antennas are everywhere."

Kovarik, who lives in the affected area, said she recently met with residents concerned about T-Mobile's tower.

Wilson said T-Mobile is to discuss the tower at a Dec. 10 meeting with Gurnee Village Administrator James Hayner and Community Development Director David Ziegler.

Under Illinois law, cell towers are exempt from county zoning regulations with the exception of height and setbacks. Towers are permitted at any location provided certain requirements are met.

Residents and Hawthorn Woods officials last month were enraged over T-Mobile's plans to erect a 195-foot cell tower on unincorporated land bordering village homes.

Hawthorn Woods then forcibly annexed 100 acres off Gilmer Road. If the annexation sticks, T-Mobile would need permission for the structure from the village board.