Proposed T-Mobile tower moved 50 feet
October 8, 2008
By Laura Geggel
Parties involved say matter now settled
After a protest and several court dates, the Circle River Ranch neighborhood of North Bend has avoided a potential eyesore. A 150-foot T-Mobile cell phone tower, which neighbors complained would mar their view of Mount Si, will now be built 50 feet to the southeast.
This protestor was one of several from the Circle Ranch neighborhood in North Bend who wanted T-Mobile to move a 150-foot tower. Photo by Laura Geggel
Several balloon tests — in which balloons were floated to the height of the proposed facility in different locations — showed a better placement for the tower.
“Frankly, we were all a bit surprised to see the difference from one location to another,” said Rob Salopek, a Circle River Ranch resident. “But when the balloon was moved, the view was then virtually unobstructed from all our homes.
“While this may change a bit during winter months, it was clearly a significant improvement.”
Steve Caplan, spokesperson for T-Mobile’s national external affairs, said a series of locations were being considered for the tower.
“T-Mobile is always agreeable to abide by the jurisdiction’s hearing examiner’s examinations,” Caplan said. “There’s incredible demand out there and T-Mobile is working to reach that demand.”
The tower has been in dispute since February, when Peggy Bindus learned T-Mobile had received a conditional use permit for the tower from King County.
She and her husband, Tom, designed their house in 2004 so that an insider looking outside could view Mount Si from almost all of the rooms in their house. The cell phone tower — with levels at 150-, 125- and 110-feet — would outstrip the 80-foot tall trees in front of Mount Si and change the view.
Peggy and Tom Bindus joined six other families from the area and filed an appeal in late February regarding the tower’s placement. A King County hearing examiner heard the case in June and ruled in favor of T-Mobile, but filed a motion for reexamination regarding the tower’s location within a 50-foot radius.
After a series of balloon tests, the hearing examiner issued a revised report and granted an application ordering T-Mobile to move the facility 50-feet to the southeast. Despite the relocation, the cell phone tower will still be on JoAnn and Jerome Klacsans’ land.
“I think it was a win-win situation for everyone,” Bindus said. “T-Mobile gets to have their tower. The Klacsans can lease their land to T-Mobile. As far as we can understand, it won’t spoil the view of anyone in the neighborhood.”
Salopek agreed, but said the relocation came with an expensive price tag.
“We all feel a little it’s a bittersweet deal because we did have to spend $15,000 of our own money to make it happen,” Salopek said. “It was so simple. Why couldn’t this have happened earlier in the process?”
Since the hearing, T-Mobile has resubmitted a building permit with the tower’s new location. The company is hoping the county will approve the permit within the next two months, Caplan said.
“We’ll begin construction immediately after,” Caplan said.
Reach reporter Laura Geggel at 392-6434 .221 or lgeggel@snovalleystar.com.
Comments
Got something to say?
Before you comment, please note:
- These comments are moderated.
- Comments should be relevant to the topic at hand and contribute to its discussion.
- Personal attacks and/or excessive profanity will not be tolerated and such comments will not be approved.
- This is not your personal chat room or forum, so please stay on topic.
