T-Mobile to appeal cell tower vote

T-Mobile will appeal a Planning Commission decision to deny the company a permit to build a cell tower in a residential neighborhood to fill a coverage gap, officials said today.

The commission voted 5 to 2 against a conditional use permit for a 55-foot cell tower on the Community United Methodist Church on Heil Avenue on Tuesday.

The commission determined the tower would be detrimental to the general welfare and property values of the neighborhood, wouldn’t fit in aesthetically and isn’t necessary to fill a coverage gap.

The permit was originally approved by the Zoning Administrator and appealed by a group of more than 300 upset neighbors.

T-Mobile officials said the commission “erred” in its decision and will appeal it to the City Council.

— Britney Barnes