Verizon leases WFRD ground for cell tower

The Woodstock Fire Rescue District (WFRD) has leased a 25' x 50' portion (1250 sq. ft.) of its Judd Street (Station 1) property to Verizon for a new 88-foot cell phone tower. The deal is done, and construction has begun.

In response to a FOIA request to inspect the documentation for the deal, WFRD responded promptly and fully, providing not only inspection but a copy of all the documentation (far more than 50 pages) without charge. Minutes of the January 27, 2011, Trustees' meeting reflect that Verizon had contacted WFRD in October 2010 to open discussion about a tower. Those Minutes suggest that WFRD's communication ability will improve with construction of the tower, as fire vehicles do not get a signal until they are out on the road. (Do they need a radio signal, while the vehicles are in the station?)

At the March 1, 2011, Trustees' meeting the agreement with Verizon was approved and officers of WFRD were authorized to sign it.

In case you want to watch the tower going up, here is the timeline:

7/12-7/15 Ground preparation and building out of caisson forms.
7/19-7-22 Drill and pour tower foundation; drill and pour shelter foundation piers. Directional boring for Com Ed power and AT&T services.
7/25-7/29 Excavate for install all site grounding, utility frames, etc.
8/2-8/5 Shelter delivery, tower delivery and tower stacking
8/8-8/12 Installation of antennas, cabling and site install completion
8/15-8/19 Site clean-up and completion on asphalt repair with their future parking lot project repairs.

It's not every day that you can see a tall tower going up right in your own town. If you go, be sure to stay out by the curb on Judd Street and away from the doors of the fire station. If you want to go closer, be sure to get permission first.

I found it interesting that only City administrative approval was needed. Verizon and WFRD did not have to go to the City Council for approval. No public hearings were required. Site plans were submitted to the City and routinely approved by City employees.

The City may have recommended to WFRD to inform the neighbors, but WFRD was not required to do so. The commercial neighbors probably couldn't have cared less.

But what about their neighbors to the northwest? Emerson Loft townhomes are located north and west of the fire station. These townhomes sell for $160,-350,000. More in a good real estate market. Would the developer or the homeowners have cared?

The monopole tower will be 80 feet high (88' with appurtenances). Atop the pole will be several antennae. (Click on the photo to enlarge it; then click on the Back button on your browser to come back here.)

Personally, I think there should have been a Public Hearing or at least more public exposure. One public notice was printed in The Woodstock Independent in the February 23, 2011 issue.

If you think the City should take a bigger hand in approval of cell phone towers, then let the City Manager, Mayor and members of the City Council know now - before the next tower comes to town. You can find their e-mail addresses at http://www.woodstockil.gov/ or just call City Hall at 815-338-4300.