Cell Tower, Driving Range Fence Ok’D

Sat., June 24, 2000

The Spokane County hearing examiner has approved plans for a cellular phone tower on Pleasant Prairie and a golf driving range fence in Otis Orchards.

US West Communications asked for a permit to build a cellular telephone tower at 10001 E. Bigelow Gulch Road. The tower will be built on property owned by Raymond Starling, about a half-mile west of Pleasant Prairie Road.

County planners said the new tower will look different from other cellular phone towers. The tower will be 100 feet tall, with a single antenna rising another 20 feet. Other towers have a triangular platform base for the antenna.

Hearing Examiner Mike Dempsey also approved a 60-foot-tall fence at Lynden Road and Trent Avenue to catch stray golf balls at a planned golf-course driving range.

Jerome Grant, a retired farmer, asked for a variance to allow the fence. Structures are normally limited to a maximum height of 35 feet in the area.

Grant plans to open a driving range and nine-hole golf course on 28 acres that were alfalfa fields.

Dempsey gave both plans verbal approval Wednesday. A written decision with any conditions will be issued within about two weeks.

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