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A potential Brockway Mountain cell tower is being delayed again. Monday’s Eagle Harbor Township board meeting was well attended, with over 50 people taking part on Zoom and around a dozen in-person. In November, the planning commission approved a conditional use permit for Diamond Communications to put a long-discussed tower on a treasured piece of scenic real estate. That was challenged in Circuit Court and the board voted unanimously to send the idea back to the planning commission for reconsideration.
The delay will allow for a required review to take place that was not completed last year. Zoning Administrator Bill Eddy says the oversight was his responsibility.
Keweenaw County Sheriff Curt Pennala spoke about the need for cell phone coverage to allow for emergency calls. A vast majority of the audience spoke against the tower proposal, rehashing arguments that date back years. The tower’s height would require lighting, interrupting the area’s trademark night skies.There is concern that the angle of the tower would mean Copper Harbor continues to miss out on quality coverage. Many cited a Friends of Brockway study that suggested using a State Police tower instead.
Keweenaw County Commissioner Del Rajala says that solution won’t work, but improvements in fiber optic infrastructure will be in the area soon, and that could help break the stalemate.
The site plan review won’t be complete until at least June.
