HomeMy WebLinkAboutEmail - Read Before Packet - 1/16/2018 - Email From Delynn Coldiron To Nancy Duteau Re: Cell Tower Issue Is One Of Environmental Justice - Agenda Item #19From: Delynn Coldiron
To: Nancy DuTeau
Cc: Sarah Kane; Rita Knoll
Subject: RE: Cell Tower issue is one of Environmental Justice
Date: Tuesday, January 16, 2018 4:22:59 PM
Attachments: image001.png
Dear Ms.DuTeau –
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 that was conducted on 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.
At the end of the hearing on the 19th
, the Council voted to adopt an ordinance on first reading that
would approve the Addition of a Permitted Use, with conditions, and requested that staff suggest
conditions to address three specific concerns noted by Council in its discussion. The conditions
relate to: 1) the standards applicable to the structure to make it safe in windy conditions; 2) a
possible requirement that the structure be removed if it becomes obsolete; and 3) a possible
requirement that the structure be modified in the future to remain compatible with surrounding
land uses.
The ordinance will be considered again on second reading tonight. At that time, Council may reopen
the hearing to receive evidence and comment related specifically to the conditions the Council
discussed at the hearing on December 19. Your email will be included in the Council's packet
regarding this item and considered to the extent it relates to the conditions under consideration.
Thank you for your interest and participation in this matter.
Delynn Coldiron
City Clerk
City of Fort Collins
970-416-2995
decoldiron@fcgov.com
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From: Nancy DuTeau [mailto:nancy.duteau@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, January 16, 2018 4:06 PM
To: City Leaders <CityLeaders@fcgov.com>
Subject: Cell Tower issue is one of Environmental Justice
Dear Mayor and Council Members,
As a resident of Lee Martinez neighborhood, I have a different perspective on the Cell Tower issue.
I believe that this is an issue of Environmental Justice. A multinational corporation would like to save a lot of
money. They approach elderly residents of a neighborhood that is not zoned for a Cell Tower and offer them
money.
These residents do not have lawyers to read the contracts and negotiate market rate rental payments, much less
negotiate the design, construction, and maintenance issues that accompany a tower. You met the Forbes at the
first Hearing.
The purpose of residential zoning is to protect the interests of individual residents from corporate industrial
interests. By opening up residential areas to towers, you are getting rid of the protection for elderly and naïve
residents from corporate exploitation.
There is no reason for the cell tower company to negotiate with industrial partners in the future. I predict that
they will continue to approach residents. As you recall from the presentation at the first Hearing, they believe that
an additional 8 – 9 towers will be necessary to provide adequate service to Northeast Fort Collins.
It is difficult to make a clear-headed decision because of the emotional issues attached to this particular case.
But is it important to step outside the emotions and look at the consequences. The cell tower company is hoping
that their “it is better to ask forgiveness than ask permission” strategy works in this instance to open the door to
additional cheap cell tower contracts.
Best wishes, Nancy DuTeau
520 N. Sherwood St.
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