Averill Woods Neighborhood Association discusses cellphone tower, police radio network and cameras

[Wes Thorp]

The Averill Woods Neighborhood Association learned at its meeting last night that support is building among Lansing (MI) City Council members for a moratorium on construction of new cellphone towers.

Two city council members, Brian Jeffries and Carol Wood, both said they supported a waiting period before official city approval is given to construction of a new cellphone tower just off Skye Road in Averill Woods' southwest side neighborhood.

The neighborhood concerns have been expressed as a result of T-Mobile's request for a special use permit to construct a 120-foot tower right behind the homes on the cul-de-sac on Skye Road. The association has been asking for a longer-range look a cellphone tower needs inside the city and for a policy that would protect residential areas, as well as meeting the needs of the mobile phone companies.

At last night's association meeting at Averill Woods School, several topics were discussed, including:

• The association's press conference at 2 p.m., tomorrow, Saturday, Sep. 29 at the Skye Road cul-de-sac area to show neighborhood solidarity about the cellphone tower concerns.
• Mayor Virg Bernero's proposal for the city to purchase cameras to be used for crime prevention purposes.
• A status report on problems Lansing police officers are having using their radios for emergency purposes on the southwest side, including the Averill Woods neighborhood.
• The public hearing at 7 p.m., Monday before the Lansing City Council to hear public input about the Skye Road cellphone tower special use permit request.