CELL PHONE TOWER UP DATE
At the Sept. 2007 Bexley Board Meeting a proposed cell phone tower located at the
LaPrade Library on Hull St. Rd. was discussed with the input of two neighbors who live
on Wicklow Lane. The board decided to ask Verizon to respond to a number of
questions. Below is a reprint of the questions to Verizon and response from the Verizon
representative.
Bexley Board Questions
Thanks for having Verizon conduct the balloon test. I believe it helped. (Announcement of the
balloon test was in the Rampage prior to the test)
The Bexley Board met last night. One couple attended who live on Wicklow Lane, which is the
street closes to the site, are oppose to the location.
The board has several questions which they feel must be answered before they can take a
position on the site:
1) At what other location could the tower be located and provide cell phone
coverage to Bexley and Bexley West?
2) A map showing the exact coverage area this tower would service at each height.
3) A map showing the location of existing towers and where additional tower are
planned or needed.
4) A map showing the dead areas of cell phone recitation by cell phone provider.
5) At the various tower heights how many other cell phone providers could be
added to this tower?
6) Would you do the balloon test in Jan. 2008 after the leaves are off the trees?
7) How large an area around the tower would need to be cleared of trees and
fenced, where would the access road to the site be located, how wide and of
what material would the road be constructed?
8) What is the time frame having this proceed through the approval process?
The maps should cover the area from Turner Rd on the east, Hull St. on the south, Courthouse
Rd. on the west and Midlothian Turnpike on the north.
Verizon Representatives Response
Dick, thanks for your email. As we discussed, it did not appear that there was universal support
for the library site when we spoke earlier this fall. So, for the past couple of months Verizon has
been looking at possible alternative sites. In that light, I'll do my best to answer your questions.
1. I have requested propagation maps that will show the approximate area where a tower would
serve both Bexley and Bexley West. I will see if we can identify the ring on that map in which the
tower would be located to provide that service. Keep in mind that the height of the tower also
impacts its coverage area. Also keep in mind that the propagation maps are based on computer
models. They give approximate coverage areas. The actual coverage areas may differ. I hope
to have these maps for you by Tuesday.
2. I have requested the propagation maps at each height. As I mentioned above, however, the
maps provide approximations.
3. This information should be shown on the propagation maps. The map will show the Verizon
antenna locations with which the proposed site "links".
4. Unfortunately, Verizon does not have information from the other wireless providers as to
where their networks are deficient.
5. At 150', a total of four users would fit on the tower. At 125', a total of three users would fit. I
am assuming that the additional service providers use equipment and antennas similar to
Verizon's equipment.
6. We can arrange for a balloon test during the winter. I certainly understand the interest in
doing that. However, Verizon would prefer to conduct the balloon test on the site that the tower
will actually be located on. If the balloon is flown from an adjacent or nearby site, there are
concerns that the test does not accurately represent the visibility of the tower and it undermines
the usefulness of the test results. We are working on finalizing a site as soon as we can.
7. The typical site is 100' x 100'. Each wireless provider needs room to locate their ground
equipment. The area is surrounded by a fence. Subject to county requirements, Verizon could,
as we discussed, use a vinyl clad fence (without slats) with leland cyprus trees planted around
the outside. I agree with you that the cyprus trees sort of "grow into" the fence and diminish the
visibility of the fence. We did not get far enough along with the library site to actually lay out the
access road. We will be mindful of the view down the access road to the tower if that is a
concern at whatever site we pursue. We would certainly consider some different techniques to
diminish the view of the tower down the road. For example, if there are existing trees on either
side of the road, simply curving the road slightly can have the desired effect. The road is typically
12' wide with a gravel surface.
8. Once a site is located and the lease signed, it usually takes four to six months for the zoning
process. As you pointed out, that process may be a little slower with a new planning commission
and board.
I hope that I've answered your questions. If you would like to discuss this further, please let me
know. I will check on the maps discussed above and try to get those to you before Tuesday.
Below are three computer pictures. There are several pieces of information you need to
read these pictures:
1) The color circle areas are the existing towers in the first picture, the second
picture is the 125 foot tower with its service area and the third picture is the 150
foot tower with its service area.
2) The green, yellow and red color areas indicate the degree of coverage. Green is
good, yellow is poor and red is dead.
3) The three existing towers all have multi-cell providers on each tower. While
Verizon does not have access to the coverage areas of the other cell phone
providers, it is safe to assume they all have basically the same coverage areas.
4) We have requested an additional computer picture of the coverage area if the
tower were placed on the south side of Hull St Rd and west of Bexley. When this
is received, it will be included in the next Rampage.
5) There could be other tower sites Verizon or other cell tower builders may want to
consider. We understand they are trying to find other possible locations.
Below are the comments the Verizon representative sent with the computer pictures
Dick, attached are propagation maps that show the area around the proposed tower as the
Verizon coverage currently exists (or, more accurately, does not exist), the area covered by a
125' tower and the area covered by a 150' tower. As I mentioned previously, these maps are
computer models and do not necessarily communicate the actual coverage provided. Coverage
is broken down on the map into three broad categories. Green is good coverage (connoting "in
building" service), yellow is marginal service and red is poor coverage.
To illustrate my point, you will note that the propagation maps for the 125' and 150' towers show
some improvement with the increased tower height. The additional 25' in height, however, may
make a difference to customers on the periphery of the coverage area, especially those seeking
in building coverage. Hence, Verizon would prefer to use the taller 150' tower at the library site.
Of course, if we move to an alternate location, the propagation maps would need to be updated to
reflect the modified coverage area.
I would be happy to discuss this with you further if that would be helpful.
Editorial Commits
As I believe you can see the Bexley Board has been actively pursuing this issue not sitting on its
collective hands as some of our neighbors would like you to believe. Also, as information
becomes available, it will be passed on to you via the Rampage and the Bexley web site, nothing
is being held back.
It is important for you to know all of this is in preliminary review and study stages. Verizon has
asked Bexley and 360 Corridor Committee to review their study and offer input, nothing more.
Verizon has not made a proposal to the Chesterfield Planning Department; therefore, nothing is
coming before the Planning Commission or the Board of Supervisors for several months. A jump
to judgment is counter-productive in this situation and any other we are asked to participate in.