AT&T is proposing a new “stealth” cell phone tower in Dundee near Memorial Park.
The 92-foot-tall tower would be located on Brownell-Talbot School property. The school would enter into a lease agreement with CIngular Wireless (AT&T) for use of a 30’x40’ plot of land on school land.
According to Brownell-Talbot, the proposed initial lease term is for five years with four successive automatic five year options to renew.
Some neighbors say they're concerned about the tower's height and location. But AT&T says the tower will be disguised as a tree.
According to planning documents, AT&T says the objectives of the tower would be to "improve coverage at the college, Memorial Park and Benson area"; and "improve capacity for the Memorial Park area for events and activities".
The wireless company says the site is needed to replace coverage that is “now lacking” after a tower was removed at UNO.
Brownell-Talbot says at this point, no plans have been finalized for the tower.
A statement on behalf of the school states: "Brownell Talbot is an active and long-time member of the Dundee-Memorial Park neighborhood, and we respect the many and varied viewpoints expressed by community members on this issue. We are still in the exploratory phase of whether the cell phone tower is mutually beneficial to the neighborhood and AT&T."
Brownell-Talbot encourages the public to give feedback during the city's planning process.
AT&T provided the following statement: "We are working to provide better service for our customers in the area and have proposed a new cell site. This process takes time and we will continue to work with the city and neighborhood to get it completed - AT&T Spokesperson.”
The tower plans and a possible layover will be discussed at a city planning board meeting scheduled for Wednesday. If it moves forward, the proposal would need to go before the City Council.
