Panel gives initial OK to taller cell tower

The nation's largest Sprint affiliate received the Cape Girardeau Planning and Zoning Commission's OK on Wednesday to replace a monopole tower on Broadway with one 20 feet taller.

City council members must grant final approval, and they will consider the issue on Feb. 4.

Theresa Malone, zoning specialist for Alamosa PCS of Kansas City, Mo., said the 145-foot tower on the property isn't tall enough to work in conjunction with the Sprint tower on North Kingshighway. She said a new, 165-foot tower at 2215 Broadway, just behind Charlie's Auto Body, will be used for additional capacity for Sprint customers. The land is owned by Charlie Roberts and carries a light industrial zoning.

Malone said Sprint needs the extra capacity because local customers are having problems with static and dropped calls on their cell phones.

The new tower could accommodate antennas for three other companies as well, meaning they wouldn't have to build more towers in the city.

That feature appealed to commissioners, who said they are working on a policy that would limit cell phone towers. They granted unanimous approval.

They also approved a plan to convert a former business at 1 N. Sunset Blvd. into a two-family apartment building.

In other action, the commissioners installed new officers: Harry Rediger as chairman, Robert N. Cox as vice chairman and Thomas C. Holshouser as secretary.