Letters To The Editor

Thu., Sept. 2, 1999

Story omitted some details

Re: “City wants more proof cell-phone tower needed” (Aug. 26 South Voice)

This article was factual and well-written. However some important details were omitted.

First, the residents, property owners and local tenants are against the tower. Fifty-nine people signed petitions opposing the tower. Sixteen people wrote letters asking Greg Smith, the hearing examiner to deny the special use permit. Fourteen people testified against the tower at the hearing on Aug. 10. Two people testified in favor. One was not a Lincoln Heights resident; the other was a land scout for cell phone companies.

Second, there is no operational need for a tower to be built on residential property. Spokane’s Municipal Code section 11.02.0452 requires a study and evaluation, with evidence to support operational needs before a special use permit is granted. The two cellular companies, Sprint PCS and AirTouch Cellular both claim that Lincoln Heights coverage is good when they are selling customers on cell phone service. Perhaps there is a financial need to erect a 90-foot tower on a single residential lot, but that is not a valid reason to grant a special-use permit.

Third, the tower does not comply with the city’s long-range plan for Lincoln Heights. Sheri Barnard, a former mayor, and Joel Crosby, a former city councilman, were members when the city adopted the Lincoln Heights Plan in 1990. Both have written letters opposing the cell tower.

There are other reasons to oppose the cell tower, which may be discovered by Spokane residents if they choose to dig into this important issue. Anson T. Avery Spokane

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