Naperville should quit cell tower plan

As president of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, I strongly object to the proposed installation of a 154-foot tall cell tower on Naperville property next to Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve.

In 1986, the district cooperated with the city of Naperville by transferring two acres on the northwest corner of Plainfield Road and 87th Street to Naperville so the city could build a fire station and greatly improve public safety. The agreement with Naperville identified the intended use of the property as "fire station" and not a cell tower or any other use. I believe the district would have never conveyed the property to Naperville had we known that this objectionable use of the property would be considered by Naperville.

Additionally, the proposed tower would not only subtract from the panoramic views that local residents and the 148,000 Springbrook Prairie visitors enjoy each year, but also possibly prove detrimental to the rare grassland birds that nest at the preserve. Given that the district is entrusted by its citizens and subjected to legal mandates requiring the preservation and protection of habitat, we simply cannot support Naperville's efforts to erect a structure that would have such a detrimental effect on a forest preserve we have worked so hard to build and restore. Under the circumstances, I urge Naperville to respect the district's interest in this matter and to withdraw the request for the construction of a cell tower at this site. D, "Dewey" Pierotti Jr.

president, Forest Preserve District of DuPage County