City Oks Cell-Phone Tower On W. Sixth Court

The city hearing examiner has approved a 100-foot cellular telephone antenna in the west end of downtown.

The new tower is being proposed by Spokane Cellular Telephone Co. and AT&T Wireless Services.

It will provide wireless communication coverage to the Latah Creek Valley and U.S. Highway 195 that runs south along it.

The tower also will ease the strain on existing antennas.

Company officials said the number of Spokane regional customers has increased from 4,500 users about five years ago to about 30,000 today.

The special permit, approved by Hearing Examiner Greg Smith, clears the way for the companies to erect the tower and a small equipment building at 2014 W. Sixth Court.

The site, near Cannon Street, is zoned for commercial use and is adjacent to Interstate 90 and the elevated railroad tracks along the freeway.

City law attempts to keep a one-mile distance between cellular telephone towers, but Smith said he granted an exception because other alternative locations weren’t suitable.

He ordered the companies to paint the tower a color that blends with its surroundings.

The tower will have 12 directional panels and six whip-type antennas.

AT&T will lease the 1,100-square-foot site for about $3,600 a year.

, DataTimes