Controversial cell tower plan faces growing opposition in Mundelein
A plan to erect a tall cellular communications antenna in Mundelein that has drawn opposition from local residents will face the village board's scrutiny Monday night.
A Wheaton company called Central States Tower wants to erect an 81-foot-tall pole at the Chapel, a church at 1966 W. Hawley St. It would be located on the church's west side, near a playground and could be topped with a large flag.
Initial village reports that communications giant Verizon was behind the plan haven't been substantiated.
The proposal has been criticized by residents in the nearby Tullamore neighborhood. They say the pole would be unsightly, and they are worried about the noise the flapping flag will create, among other concerns.
Mundelein's planning and zoning commission discussed the proposal in April and recommended the village board deny two permits needed to legally erect the pole. The permits would allow a cell tower in a residential area and allow it to stand closer to the church's property line than is currently permitted.
The commission's recommendations followed comments from many residents against the plan.
Monday, the village board will consider asking village administrators to draft formal ordinances rejecting the permit requests. If approved at a future meeting, those ordinances would kill the plan.
Trustee Ray Semple was impressed by the organized opposition at the planning commission meeting.
"It looks like our residents put together the strongest presentation we've ever seen in opposition to the tower," Semple said.
Although he declined to say how he plans to vote Monday, Semple said he places "a lot of weight" on a planning commission recommendation.
Chapel Pastor Thomas McArthur has said the church would collect rent for the land used by the tower if the deal goes through. That cash would be used to bolster the church's local outreach programs, he said.
Monday's meeting is set for 7 p.m. at village hall, 300 Plaza Circle.