Lockport commission delays decision on proposed cell monopole at high school fields

Commissioners on the Lockport Plan & Zone Commission on June 10 continued a decision on a proposed wireless communications monopole at Lockport Township High School athletic fields after residents raised concerns about health risks, safety and property values.

Derek McGrew, the applicant representative, told commissioners the monopole is intended to fill a documented coverage gap for voice, text, data and FirstNet public-safety service. “We’re providing coverage in a documented coverage gap,” McGrew said, adding the project includes a fenced equipment area and would be sited on roughly 800 square feet leased from the school district.

Residents who live near the proposed site urged the commission to delay approval. “It’s literally right outside of my bedroom window,” said Kim, who identified herself as the closest resident to the proposed installation and raised concerns about radiation exposure, lightning strikes and potential effects on children who use the field.

Several speakers cited the age of federal guidance and sought stronger local protections. “The 1996 FCC regulations are way out of date,” said Brent Portfolio, who urged the commission to wait for updated limits or for states to adopt stricter setbacks.

Planning staff reminded commissioners that federal law limits local review of environmental effects from RF emissions when a facility complies with FCC rules. Staff cited the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and noted the applicant provided an affidavit from AT&T affirming that the facility will meet FCC exposure guidelines.

Commissioners focused discussion on special-use standard No. 2, which asks whether the proposed use would have a substantial adverse effect on adjacent properties and the neighborhood character. Commissioners requested a licensed-appraiser report that evaluates potential property-value impacts and asked the applicant to consider whether the monopole height could be modestly reduced. McGrew said he could ask his client about a reduction of “10, 20, maybe 30 feet,” but warned that shorter towers change coverage maps and reduce co-location potential.

A motion by Commissioner Quinn to continue Case 26-008 to the July 8 meeting so the commission could review property-value analyses and any proposed height reductions carried on a roll-call vote.

The commission did not make a final finding on the special-use standards; the case will return to the Plan & Zone Commission on July 8 with the additional materials requested.

What’s next: The applicant agreed to provide clarifying permits and to pursue the appraiser’s report the commission requested; staff and the city attorney flagged legal constraints under federal law and advised that any denial based on RF exposure would face legal challenge absent substantial evidence in the record.