Cd'A seeks cell tower details

COEUR d'ALENE — A public hearing scheduled Tuesday on a proposed cell tower on Shadduck Lane was postponed.

According to the city, staff is requesting additional details from Ryka Consulting, the agent for applicant Verizon Wireless.

The city is asking for information regarding existing tower locations and will be seeking an independent radio-frequency technical review of the materials.

"City may retain the services of an independent RF expert of its choice to provide technical evaluation of permit applications," according to the city's wireless code.

The cell tower proposal has been met with resistance by Shadduck Lane residents and neighbors.

Some have said it will impact their property values and could impact their health, as well.

"Staff received a significant number of calls concerning the cell tower," wrote Hilary Patterson, city planning director. "Some of the callers were inquiring about the analysis and if there was an independent RF technical review of the materials."

City staff reached out to a Verizon representative at Ryka to let them know that staff wanted additional RF analysis conducted "to provide important information for the Planning Commission, staff and the public," Patterson wrote.

"They agreed with the concerns and need for an RF analysis," she wrote.

City staff is working to secure a qualified third party expert to conduct the additional RF technical review.

A new hearing date has not been set, but it must take place by Jan. 9 to be in compliance with a Federal Communication Commission timeline.

Staff will re-advertise the public hearing when a new date has been set.

"It will depend on how long the RF technical review takes, in addition to the public hearing noticing requirements," Patterson wrote.