Crystal Lake Park District Seeks Permission to Put Cell Tower in Middle of 15-Acre Park

The Crystal Lake Park Board has an “October Surprise” for residents in one far-south Crystal Lake neighborhood.

I talked to two neighbors of Ken Bird Park and learned that the park board is proposing putting a T-Mobile next to the tennis courts.

Want some irony?

On the west side of the tennis courts are evergreens, presumably to hide the tennis courts from neighbors on Deerhaven Drive.

“Greed” on the park of the park district was how Deerhaven park side resident Tom Eibel told me.

If this is like other subdivisions, people who get lots next to open space have to pay extra for their lots.

If that is the case, you can imagine the depth of anger.

The neighborhood is in organization mode and has already figured out there is a city council and a park board election next spring.

Among Crystal Lake City Councilmen, three of the seven members are up for re-election next April:

Dave Goss, Jeff Thorsen and Ralph Dawson.

I don’t know who is up for election at the park board, except I assume Angel Collins is, having been appointed will have to stand for election. It probably doesn’t matter, because 6 park board members voted to lease the property; one was absent.

Election petitions may be picked up now and circulated starting Tuesday, October 28th.

Internet research is not reassuring. The citizens are finding references to radiation. That is not reassuring since the area right next to the tower site is used for pick-up baseball games and kids practice soccer between there and the playground equipment.

The minutes of the August 7th park board meeting (reproduced below) say the rent offered was a mere $1,000 a month, but the board would ask for $2,000 a month.

Here’s what the minutes of the August 7th park board meeting say,

“Director Reimer reported that T-Mobile has submitted a request to install a 75’ cell tower, at Ken Bird Park. Reimer submitted photos and a location map. The area needed is 20’ x 30’. Attorney Puma prepared an agreement for the Board to review.

“T-Mobile offered to lease the property from the Park District for $1,000 per month. The Park District will request $2,000.00 (standard rate) per month for ten years.

“If T-Mobile enters into an agreement with the Park District they will need to seek approval and obtain a special use permit from the City of Crystal Lake. T-Mobile will also need to contact the neighbors of Ken Bird Park.

“Commissioner Zellmann stated that the cell towers can be camouflaged and requested that the tower look like tree, and request a higher lease amount.

“Attorney Puma stated that T-Mobile will look elsewhere.

“Reimer stated that the towers can be made as flag poles. Ann Viger, Park Planner, suggested painting the tower a neutral color instead of a 75’ foot tree to be less visible.

“Commissioner Sullivan stated that it may be more visible if painted, and agreed with the flagpole. Commissioner Zellmann stated that the tower may not need to be 75’ tall if it has wide tree branches; it may possible to redesign the tower to be less visible. Director Reimer will contact T-Mobile regarding the agreement and the Board’s concerns.

“Commissioner Walkup requested a windmill redesign.”

At the next board meeting, September 4, the board unanimously approved a lease with T-Mobile for a $2,000:

“Director Reimer reported that T-Mobile agreed to lease a portion of property in the Ken Bird Park in the amount of $2,000 per
month. The tower will be designed as a flag pole, to display the park district flag. If approved, T-Mobile will need to present this
request to the City of Crystal Lake.

“Commissioner Collins moved to accept the agreement with T-Mobile, as presented. Seconded by Commissioner Anderson.

“Roll Call:
“Ayes: 6 (Reedy, Sexton, Collins, Anderson, Walkup, Zellmann)
“Nays: 0”

Note that there is no indication of any controversy.

The Crystal Lake Park District is currently big on fighting water pollution, but visual or skyline pollution is apparently not on its agenda.

= = = = =
Tom Eibel points up where the T-Mobile cell tower will be, if the City Council approves a special use permit. Note the dark cloud over his head.

The next picture is of the tennis courts with a cellular tower superimposed by Heck of a Guy blogger Allan Showalter.

Below is a view from the west giving a suggestion of what a 75-foot cell tower might look like. Note the evergreens screening the tennis courts from the views of neighbors on Deerhaven Trail to the west.

You can see the evergreen screen on the left hand side of the next photo. It shows where children practice soccer within feet of the proposed cell tower site.

Finally, there is a map to show where this park is located. I had not heard of it until I started looking for it.

In the photo explanation section is a picture of one of the backstops within close proximity to the propose cell tower.

All images may be enlarged by clicking on them.


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