HomeMy WebLinkAboutConstituent Letter - Read Before Packet - 12/19/2017 - Email From Stephen Surowiec Re: Long Pond Wireless Telecommunications - Agenda Item #22From: Delynn Coldiron
To: Stephen Surowiec
Cc: Delynn Coldiron; Rita Knoll; Carrie Daggett; Sarah Kane
Subject: RE: Long Pond Wireless Telecommunications
Date: Tuesday, December 19, 2017 9:57:28 AM
Dear Mr. Surowlec:
Thank you for your email to City Council regarding the Long Pond Cell Tower proposal -- a development project
that is currently in the development review process. The specific approval process under consideration now for this
project is referred to as an "Addition of a Permitted Use" and the decision on the pending application will be made
by the City Council based on the evidence presented to the Council in connection with the Council hearing now
rescheduled for tonight, December 19, 2017. In the case of an "Addition of a Permitted Use" decision,
Councilmembers are required to impartially decide the application based on the evidence and testimony presented
for or at the hearing, and as a result Councilmembers are required to avoid contacts about this item with interested
parties outside of the hearing process.
Your email will be included in the Council's packet regarding this item for all to consider in connection with the
hearing. Although Councilmembers are interested in hearing your opinion about the merits of the project, it is not
appropriate for Council to discuss your concerns outside of the hearing process. I encourage you to participate in
the Council's hearing on this matter in order to ensure that your concerns are heard.
Thank you for your interest and participation in this matter.
Delynn Coldiron
City Clerk
City of Fort Collins
970-416-2995
decoldiron@fcgov.com
Tell us about our service, we want to know!
-----Original Message-----
From: Stephen Surowiec [mailto:ssurowiec@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, December 18, 2017 9:17 PM
To: City Leaders <CityLeaders@fcgov.com>
Subject: Long Pond Wireless Telecommunications
Importance: High
Dear Mayor and City Council members,
I am writing this letter for your consideration of the proposed 60’ stealth tower on the Long Pond Wireless
Telecommunications proposal.
I support the approval of this project, not just for my own ability to make calls, but also for the First Responders
who may be called upon in the event of an emergency in our area. It is commonplace for First Responders to use
their own cell phones to augment their communications & to make use of data driven tools to assist their efforts.
Without a stabile wireless infrastructure we make their difficult jobs even more difficult.
I believe that a 45 foot single-carrier-tower would not be in the best interest of our neighborhoods, our city, or our
safety.
I understand that the City Staff is proposing to council that the tower be reduced from the proposed 60 feet down to
45 feet. I implore you to vote in favor of the proposed 60 foot wireless stealth tower. The 15 foot reduction will
reduce the number of potential carriers from 3 down to 1 and will likely reduce the towers' overall effectiveness. I
think this proposal by city staff takes into consideration the aesthetics, but may not consider the fact that ALL
carriers in this area have significant wireless gaps in coverage (I know, I have tried them all).
Recent projections show that this part of Fort Collins will see as many as 8,000 new homes over the next 10 years.
As our community continues to grow so does the stress on our wireless infrastructure. It is very likely that other
carriers will soon be looking to add capacity to their wireless networks. Without room to grow on this wireless
facility we are likely to find ourselves looking at proposals for several new towers in this area. I think that reducing
this towers height will have far greater consequences than any concerns about the aesthetics. By approving the full
60 foot tower Council will be providing capacity for this tower to host up to 2 additional carriers, thereby fortifying
our wireless infrastructure and reducing the need for those carriers to search for additional wireless facilities in the
area. I believe the smart choice would be to build one tower so that the 3 major carriers may lease space at this one
facility. The phrase “One and Done” comes to mind.
To provide comprehensive and stabile wireless infrastructure in our neighborhoods it is crucial that this project be
approved at the proposed 60 feet. Anything less degrades our wireless infrastructure and reduces public safety for
our community.
Please vote in favor of the proposed 60 foot wireless stealth tower.
Thank you for your consideration.
Stephen Surowiec
2751 Fleet Drive
Fort Collins, CO 80524