Politics & Government
Palatine Village Council Votes Down Cell Tower Generator, Approves State-Wide Mutual-Aid Agreement
Monday's council meeting included a vote on a request to install a back-up generator for a residential cell phone tower and a resolution to participate in a state-wide mutual aid program.
At its Monday night meeting, the Palatine Village Council unanimously denied a request from American Tower for a variance to install a diesel generator in the yard of an already non-conforming cell phone tower located in a residential neighborhood at 165 N. Crescent St.
The zoning board of appeals unanimously recommended denial of the petition at a Nov. 26 public hearing. More than a dozen residents at that hearing also spoke out against the generator, citing concerns related to noise and aesthetics and the potential for health and safety hazards.
Petitioners said they wanted to add the generator as a back-up service—an FCC recommendation—in the event of an emergency such as a power outage when calls to 911 might not go through.
On Monday, Village Manager Reid Ottesen said the cell phone tower had a right to remain despite it being a non-conforming structure, as it was built prior to the homes, but permitting an expansion through the installation of a generator would further the non-conformity, which he advised against.
Mutual-Aid Agreement
The council also voted unanimously to approve a resolution authorizing the execution of the Illinois Public Works Mutual Aid Network Agreement (IPWMAN), a state-wide public works mutual aid system utilized in the event of a natural or man-made disaster.
In the case of an emergency, municipalities can call on voluntary assistance from resources around the state. For example, Hoffman Estates sent fire and rescue crews to tornado-ravaged Washinton, Ill., last month. The cost to participate is $250 per year, to cover administrative costs.
Per the agreement, the responding agency provides assistance for an initial minimum period of 12 hours, with any extension being agreed upon by both parties. In addition, equipment, personnel, materials, supplies and/or services are provided at no charge to the requesting agency unless the aid is requested for more than five days.
Read more on agenda items from Monday's council meeting.
Watch the meeting video.
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