Ordinance calls for meatier cell phone tower applications

Prompted by the construction of a cell tower on West Depot Avenue, the Fairfield City Council passed the first reading of an interim ordinance to regulate cell towers Monday evening.

Councilman John Revolinski reported the property committee has been working with Bob Naumann, a consultant with United Engineering and the Center for Municipal Solutions; the city attorney; and members of the community to draft an ordinance. Until the final ordinance is ready, Naumann recommended adopting an interim ordinance, provided by his company, establishing a 90-day application process, which identifies what information must be supplied and requires an escrow deposit of $8,500 to cover evaluation fees.

While councilman Myron Gookin agreed the city wants to avoid the type of problems that arose with the tower on Depot Avenue, he questioned the efficiency of passing an interim ordinance and suggested forgoing that process to focus on the final ordinance.

However, Revolinski said the property committee felt the interim ordinance was a good measure to cover any applications in the meantime and ease the minds of concerned residents.

For the full story, read the printed edition of the Aug. 11, 2009, Fairfield Ledger.