The location of the T-Mobile cell phone tower was once again the hot topic at the Grove City council meeting, held on Oct. 1.
In early August, council passed a resolution to approve the development plan for the communication tower, but the location of where it should be placed has caused some confusion and controversy.
T-Mobil wanted to put the 160-foot tower at 2650 London-Groveport Road, behind the Jackson Township fire station. The township administration wanted the tower to be placed at that location because it could bring up to $1,000 per month to the township, but city council, having invested $12 million in improvements along State Route 665, thought it would be aesthetically unappealing.
Council did not reject the plan for putting up a tower somewhere else, but they just did not want it in that location, so it was back to the drawing board for ideas on where it could go up.
At the council meeting, a representative from T-Mobile requested a postponement for the special use permit so they could seek a different location for the cell tower so it could please everyone involved.
"We’re interested in understanding the community needs," said John Kopf, an attorney at Thompson Hine.
In order to do so, they need to discuss locations with the Grove City Planning Commission, Jackson Township and council.
"We would need some cooperation from the city for site access, blueprints of the area, underground utilities, and we would have to consult with engineering groups," Kopf noted.
He said they have a general idea about the water tower site, but wanted to reestablish dialogue with all parties involved and get a feel for how things will proceed.
"It’s not that council doesn’t want a tower, but they just want to take extra precautions," said Tami Kelly, clerk of council.
Council plans to review the issue again at the Dec. 3 public meeting.
In other news:
•Beverly Longmire, coordination for the senior center, was at the council meeting to implore the members to support Senior Options, also known on the Nov. 6 ballot as Issue 14.
Senior Options provided services such as home delivered meals, adult day health, homemakers, personal care, medical transportation, emergency response systems, respite care and minor home repair for senior citizens ages 60 and older in Franklin County.
"Based on 100,000 homes, homeowners would pay a total of $27.56 per year," said Longmire. "That is an annual increase of $1.53. That is a small amount to pay to help so many seniors."
According to the Alzheimer’s Association Web site, without this funding, more than 5,100 seniors per month in Franklin County would lose their vital services, such as the ones listed above.
Council approved the resolution to support Issue 14.
•Recent vandalization to the Jackson Township Administrative Building has council members taking notice and taking a stand.
Since the Grove City Skate Park opened late last year, a window at the township office was smashed, and there was damage to a chemical tank that resulted in the intervention of the Environmental Protection Agency, and a costly clean-up bill.
At the council meeting, a first reading to appropriate $17,500 from the recreation development fund to install security camera was tossed about.
There would be three security cameras installed, two for the township and one for Grove City. They would be mounted on a new pole at the eastern edge of the skate park to keep would-be troublemakers at bay.
Council is expected to vote on the ordinance at the Oct. 15 meeting.
