Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Telecommunications topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Plan Commission approves 100-foot monopole near Preble High School despite neighbor concerns; conditions attached
Summary
Commissioners approved replacing two 56-foot poles with a single 100-foot monopole at Preble High School (2222 Deckner Ave.) with six conditions; a neighbor raised questions about notice, RF exposure, fall zone and property values and the applicant said federal/state RF limits must be met.
The Green Bay Plan Commission voted to recommend approval of a conditional-use permit to remove two existing ~56-foot poles and install a single 100-foot monopole near Preble High School (2222 Deckner Avenue). Staff listed six conditions—including continuing existing CUP restrictions, compliance with City code and screening of mechanical equipment—and said any expansion would require additional approvals. The commission will forward the recommendation to the City Council for its Aug. 18 meeting.
A nearby resident, Richard Largo of 316 Blonde Avenue, called in to object and asked why the poles were put up in 2012 without notice and why they now need to be raised to 100 feet. He asked, "Why do they need to raise these up, you know, a 100 feet?" and raised concerns about RF radiation, fall-zone safety near the school, and potential impacts on property values.
Arthur Hall, RF engineering director for Insight (Cellcom), told the commission the company must meet state and federal RF-emissions standards and would not be able to operate otherwise: "We're required to meet RF emissions standards by the state and federal, government. We would not be able to operate the towers, any towers without meeting those standards." Hall added that increasing the height is likely to reduce ground-level exposure while supporting increased coverage and capacity.
Staff noted that cities have limited authority over RF emissions under state law and rely on FCC/FAA filings and sworn statements from applicants to demonstrate compliance; neighbors were notified by mail and signage per the public-notice process. Commissioners debated the limits of local review but ultimately approved the staff recommendation.
