Phone tower approved

By Steve L. Onore Jul 2009

The Flint Planning Commission June 9 approved site plans and recommended that the Flint City Council approve a special regulated use for a 100-foot monopole cell phone tower for Metro PCS on Ronn Drive between Lippincott Boulevard and Dort Highway.

Architect Matt Jurson said that location is determined by coverage and capacity — the number of additional carriers. He said that two carriers will be added to a six-antenna tower.

Jurson said that equipment consists of outdoor cabinets with electrical components on a 10- by 16-square-foot concrete pad.

Jack Rosenblatt, owner of Knopf Automotive, 2750 Lippincott Blvd., opposed the request because he said the tower may interfere with scanners and wireless routers. Safety, particularly if the tower collapses, is also a concern, he added.

The special regulated use request and site plans were approved with no waiver of the screening requirements.