Although the Tofte cemetery is a peaceful, quiet, place, the debate over the proposal to erect a cell phone tower within its boundaries is becoming quite vocal. There will be a public meeting at the Cook County courthouse at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 11. AT&T will be asking for a variance to construct the tower.
The township of Tofte had yet another meeting on Tuesday, May 3, 2011 to discuss the proposed installation of a cell phone tower at the 1.74- acre Tofte cemetery. The meeting was held to consider a request from AT&T, through Buhl Consulting, to move the tower further into the cemetery to eliminate the need for a variance. The request was made in preparation for the Cook County Planning Commission public meeting at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 11. For the town board, the request complicated what once seemed to be a simple project with strong community support. And at the special meeting, the board learned that the project has a number of outspoken opponents.
At the start of the special meeting, Supervisor Paul James gave a history of the town board’s action regarding the proposed tower to date. He stressed that there had been several public meetings—regular monthly meetings, the township’s annual meeting, and a special meeting— to present the idea to the public. He said at all of those meetings, the board heard nothing but positive comments about the proposed cell phone tower. James said finally, “We discussed the fact that we were supposed to support the citizenry of the township, so we contacted Buhl Consulting and said based on 100 percent support from the township, we will proceed.”
James said the building and fencing to be constructed at the base of the tower had also been approved by the Tofte Design Review Board.
However, James said, citizen support and board approval of the proposal was for a 140-foot tower erected 50 feet from the property boundaries. In its new request, Buhl Consulting explained that to set the tower 50 feet from the property line requires a setback variance from Cook County. Noting that a variance would not be needed if the tower were constructed 70 feet from the property line, Buhl Consulting asked the township to consider approving placement of the tower another 20 feet from the property boundary.
James said he had visited the cemetery several times since the original request. He said he was comfortable with the original request. “To me, if the tower was within 50 feet, you could still put up some sort of buffer, some vegetation or whatever, and not disturb the peace and beauty of our cemetery.
“With the additional 20 feet, to coin a phrase, it’s a ‘bridge too far.’ I can’t support that,” said James.
Supervisor Allan “DC” Olsen agreed. He said at 50 feet from the property line, the tower and building would be southwest of the cemetery access road. Moving in another 20 feet, to be 70 feet from the property line, would make the tower too close to the access road and graves. “I’ve given it a lot of thought and I don’t support it,” said Olsen.
Supervisor Jim King said he too was concerned about the reach of the tower at 70 feet from the property line. However, King added, “For the 50 foot proposal…I’m absolutely, positively, in favor of that.”
Supervisor James, the board chair, reminded the six citizens in attendance that the meeting was called for the sole purpose of considering Buhl Consulting’s latest request. However, he opened the meeting for public comments or questions.
Paul Hanson asked questions about the height of the tower. James said the township had been told that a height of 140 feet is needed for the entire township to receive adequate cell phone coverage and wireless
Internet service. Supervisor King said AT&T was originally considering construction of a 100-foot tower. “But with a 100-foot tower, ‘fringe’ areas of Tofte would not get coverage. They explained that a 140-foot tower would provide service for all of the township,” King said.
“For every 10 feet that you reduce the tower, you reduce the ability to connect. The hope is that this tower, along with several others that are planned, will allow you to use your cell phone all along the North Shore,” said Supervisor James.
Hanson also asked if any alternate locations had been considered. James said the town had asked Buhl Consulting to consider the township’s land at the old airport and at the Birch Grove Community Center. However, James said, those locations did not meet AT&T’s criteria. “This is the land that offered the best overall coverage of the township,” said James.
“On town land?” asked Hanson and the board members said yes, noting that they did not know if AT&T would pursue a tower on private land.
Harley Toftey of Grand Marais urged the Tofte board to reconsider allowing the tower at all. “I just think it’s too intrusive into such a small cemetery,” he said, adding that the people who had originally donated the land for the cemetery are opposed to the tower. He said that 95-year-old Reuben Tofte son of Tofte pioneer John Tofte was “very upset” about the proposed tower.
“What kind of message are you sending to these families?” asked Toftey.
Supervisor James reiterated that the board had only heard positive comments when it agreed to the original proposal. He said the application for the variance and subsequent conditional use permit had been filed by Buhl Consulting for AT&T. “It really isn’t our application,” said James. “We are just supporters.”
The question before the Tofte board, he added, was whether or not the board supported moving the tower 20 feet further into the cemetery. James made a motion to not support the change. His colleagues agreed and the motion passed unanimously.
At the planning commission meeting, the property line variance is just the first hurdle for the proposed tower. AT&T must also obtain a variance to construct the tower within 1,000 feet of adjacent residential buildings. If the planning commission board of adjustment approves the 50-foot property line variance and adjacent residence variance, Buhl Consulting and AT&T must still obtain a conditional use permit. If the planning commission approves the application, it goes before the Cook County commissioners for approval as well.
If the tower is erected on township land, Tofte will receive a monthly payment of approximately $800 per month.
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