William Matt

It is my pledge to always seek justice on behalf of the City of Lansing. As your neighbor, I will work diligently to find responsible solutions to our challenges, and lead with a vision guided by a hope of an ever-better city.

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

 

T-Mobile files suit against Lansing


Remember that cell phone tower that was proposed back in the fall for Grand View Manor?

Yep, that's the one, and in case your forgot (LINKY).

In September I wrote this: Cell Tower Issue Grandhaven Manor has proposed a t-mobile cell tower in the woods near Lewton Rich and Averill neighborhoods, near Lewton Elementary School. Again, neighborhood activism has produced organized opposition. What a great democratic nation we live in! I don't support the tower there, and I think that at least 4 Council Members will oppose it...I...would support setting up a master plan for tower placement in the city.

This week, Council Committee of the Whole will be discussing the suit, in closed session, Thursday.

So apparently the reasons for denying the permit by Development and Planning Committee Chair Brian Jeffries has exposed the city to a suit. Most large companies would not pursue the matter if there was not a legal basis for it, so I'm going to go out on a limb and say if this goes to court, the city will lose. We may end up with the tower after all, and maybe some monetary damages as well. I sure hope Brian didn't goof any other matters up (cough)hunters ridge(cough)!

On top of this suit, I thought we came out of the Lewton Rich meeting last year resolved to develop a master plan for cell towers in the city. At the time, I was furious for Carol Wood throwing the Planning Department under the bus for having a plan that was ten years old, this despite the fact that since serving on council for eight years, Carol never did a single thing about moving a new plan forward or suggesting changes. It was typical 20/20 hindsight Carol. Now, dear readers, I ask you, who will hold the present council power brokers responsible for their inaction in moving forward with a new cell tower plan. It's been 4 months, and counting. Until we have something on the books, T-Mobile and every other cell provider will be planting cell towers in our city and we won't ba able to stop them.

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# posted by Bill Matt @ 5:18 PM
Comments:
Bill--

I really appreciate your post about T-Mobile and the cell tower.

Didn't you vote to withhold the rezoning? Sounds like you might regret that decision.

Is your beef that the City Council hasn't followed up with a tech ordinance or with the failure to rezone?

What can citizens do to help get this back on track?

WES
# posted by Blogger Wes Thorp : March 29, 2008 10:43 AM
 
Hi Wes,

It was unanimous 8-0 vote. I don't really regret it, but it is my understanding that there are certain ways we can reject things, for certain reasons. If we say, we don't like it, then that's not going to fly.

As chair, Jeffries was responsible, in my mind, for putting out the proper language and reasoning to decline a permit. Maybe I'm wrong though...it wouldn't be the first time.
# posted by Blogger Bill Matt : April 3, 2008 4:12 PM
 
Oh, PS.

It sounds like the Lansing Planning Department IS working on a Cell Tower plan, so that is a fantastic development.

Good job then to whoever got it started!
# posted by Blogger Bill Matt : April 3, 2008 4:14 PM
 
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