Cell tower permitted in Sleepy Hollow, but lease deal still up for discussion
There's no question that a 125-foot-tall cellphone tower is permitted on its intended site in Sleepy Hollow, Village President Stephan Pickett said.
What's up for debate, though, are the terms between the village and National Wireless Ventures, LLC, a company that provides services to wireless phone companies to improve service.
"There is no up or down vote as to whether we allow the cell tower," Pickett said. "It's a permitted use. In that respect, it's a done deal. ... The question is, can we come to an agreement for a lease with National Wireless?"
A cell tower is a permitted use on village-owned property, according to village ordinances, meaning the company does not need special permission to install one just south of the village hall at 1 Thorobred Lane.
Instead, the company needs only a building permit from village staff and a lease agreement approved by the village board before the tower could be built. The cell tower, which company representatives say would improve communication and QuadCom service in the area, is expected to bring in about $20,000 to the village annually.
In November, dozens of residents attended a special board meeting to weigh in on the issue. Citing declining property values, aesthetics and health risks, some spoke out against the cell tower. Others welcomed the idea, saying service in the area needs to be improved.
National Wireless CEO Bob Stapleton addressed some concerns at Monday's village board meeting, saying the tower would not contain lights, and ground equipment could be fenced in. He also provided a document with rebuttals to trustees, Pickett said.
But Trustee Scott Finney said Sleepy Hollow needs to consider all possibilities before agreeing to terms with National Wireless. He even suggested considering the logistics of installing a cellphone tower themselves.
"There's no disagreement that cell towers are a permitted use," he said. "But there's still some opportunity to rethink carefully whether this is a good deal or not."
The next step, Pickett said, will be for trustees to review the lease agreement and the transcripts from the November meeting.
"We have a tradition in our community that we're trying to uphold - a certain look and feel," Finney said. "We need to cover any and all alternative possibilities with this."