Hoffman Estates nixes another cellphone tower
Another plan for a cellphone tower in Hoffman Estates suffered a setback on Monday when the village board turned down a proposal to build one at Cannon Crossings Park.
Village Attorney Arthur Janura warned objectors to the plan and the village board that federal law could leave Hoffman Estates vulnerable to a lawsuit by rejecting the proposal. Officials must show the petitioner, T-Mobile, why they rejected the plan for a 100-foot light standard tower that would replace a soccer field’s 85-foot tall light fixture.
“That’s the ballgame, those are the rules of the game that we have to play with,” Janura said.
Trustees Raymond Kincaid, Jackie Green and Gary Pilafas voted against the plan, and Trustee Karen Mills did not vote. She was forced to leave the meeting early due to a family emergency.
Last month, the village board tabled a separate proposal for an 85-foot T-Mobile tower at High Point Park. Neither proposal is dead, and T-Mobile officials could propose a tower at another site.
The village hired a cellphone tower consultant last month to study such proposals. The consultant’s work will have to show T-Mobile a satisfactory reason — under the federal law — for rejecting the plan, Village Manager James Norris said.
Janura also said the village needs to show there are other viable spots within Hoffman Estates or a lawsuit may have merit.
Three residents living near Cannon Crossings Park, which is near McDonough Road and Nicholson Drive, addressed the board and objected the tower.
“It looks like crap, sorry for the bad word,” neighbor John Walsh said of the proposal.
The property is owner by the Hoffman Estates Park District, whose board already approved the plan. Park district officials said money, $25,000 per year, from T-Mobile would help pay for services and facilities.
Resident Dave Jones said that isn’t enough. He sees the tower as a threat to open green spaces. He doesn’t think the park district needs the money.
“Is that really a significant amount for the village and the park district?” he said. “I don’t think it is.”
T-Mobile’s Alex Novak said the company has worked with resident to keep the towers away from homes.