City Council to consider appeal of cell tower denial

The Menifee City Council Wednesday night will hear the appeal of an application to place a cell tower in Wheatfield Park that was recommended for denial by the Planning Commission.

Smartlink Inc. filed the appeal on behalf of AT&T, which wants to place a cell tower behind the community building in Wheatfield Park to fill what the company says is a gap in wireless coverage in the city. In a public hearing spread over two Planning Commission meetings in August and September, commissioners voted 3-2 to recommend the City Council deny the application.

As pointed out by assistant city attorney Ajit Thind in that public hearing, the effect of radio emissions cannot legally be considered when evaluating such an application.

"I know concerns have been expressed by the public, but the issues we can consider are limited to things like aesthetics and zoning issues," Thind told the commissioners.

The proposed cell tower would be disguised as a clock tower. The location in a public park was of concern to commissioners Robert Karwin, Earl Phillips and Chris Thomas, who voted against the application. Details of that discussion can be read in our previous article here.

Smartlink and AT&T representatives reported that the Wheatfield Park location is considered the best of four options. The others were Mt. San Jacinto College and open lots to the west and south of Wheatfield Park. Moreover, the only land owner willing to lease property for the cell tower was Valley-Wide Recreation and Park District, which owns and operates Wheatfield Park.

Wednesday's City Council meeting begins at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 29844 Haun Road.