Cell phone firms to redial North plans

A cellular phone company has dialed down its plans to construct a 120-foot wireless phone tower on property behind the Allen Avenue School - at least for now.

Lightower Wireless, a company that builds and operates cell phone towers and rents them to carriers and Metro PCS, a company in the process of building a wireless network, have withdrawn their proposal to build the tower on property at 346 Allen Ave., which abuts the elementary school.

However, the companies intend to come back to the zoning board again later with another plan.

"It has come to our attention another wireless company has a service gap in that area," said Ricardo Sousa, an attorney representing the phone companies.

Sousa said the companies will work together to compile information and coordinate for another application from the zoning board.

The tower is being proposed for the property, which currently has a three-family home, due to coverage gaps for cellular phone service in the Interstate 295 area.

The proposal has drawn a mixed reaction from residents of the neighborhood. Some looked forward to the tower because it would improve telephone service in the area.

Other residents argued against the idea, saying that a cellular phone tower does not belong in a residential neighborhood.

Source: thesunchronicle.com