Why did Wheeling approve cell tower?

The Plan Commission said no, residents in the area said no, but on April 19 the Wheeling Village Trustees voted "YES" to AT&T's request for a permit to erect a 16-story, 160 foot, cell tower on Horcher farmland on McHenry Road.

The site is just to the rear of the Arlington Club's property.

The approval comes after several months of meetings during which testimony from both sides was presented. Earlier this year the plan commission voted to recommend approving the permit request, but at its April 8 meeting the commission reconsidered.

The 4-1 vote came after testimony from me and Andre Salsedo. The recommendation to deny went before the Village Board on April 19. Several people opposed to the cell tower location attended this meeting.

However, without any discussions or questions the Village Board ignored the Plan Commission's recommendation and granted AT&T's request to erect the 160-foot tower on Horcher farmland.

In hopes of getting the Village Board to reconsider I addressed the Village Board at its May 3 meeting and questioned whether the Board had thoroughly investigated this proposal and/or considered other options.

These would include concerns such as what studies were conducted to show the need for the tower and did it need to be that tall? Were other site options included for the cell tower or co-located with the cellular tower on corner of McHenry Road and Weiland Road?

The board did not respond to any of my testimony. On May 7, I called the Village to see if any of my concerns, questions would be addressed at the next board meeting. I was informed that this issue is not on the next meeting agenda.

If you are as upset about this as I am, you may want to remember the village trustees' names when it comes to election time.

Ed Littel, vice president

Arlington Club Condominium Association