Paradise considers construction of cell phone tower

By Aaron Mecham

February 5, 2009 | PARADISE -- Verizon Wireless wants to buildi an antenna tower in Paradise to give customers better data coverage.

Connie Misket of Verizon Wireless came to the Town Council meeting to talk about options Verizon had for building a tower near the cemetery. Paradise has a zoning ordinance restricting antenna towers to 40 feet tall and 24 inches wide, but Misket said they may need a wider tower if it has to be shorter than 40 feet.

Mayor Lee Atwood said he was concerned if he altered the rules for Verizon, he may need to allow other companies special rules because it might be difficult for them to comply with the current zoning ordinance too.

Atwood was also concerned that Verizon didn't really need a tower in Paradise, because he felt the coverage they provided was better than other companies and was adequate in the south end of Cache Valley.

One suggestion made to Misket was to build the tower on county land that didn't have the same zoning ordinance Paradise had.

Councilman Dale Anderson said if they were going to build a tower near the town many people would consider it part of Paradise regardless, and attribute any unsightliness to Paradise, so they might as well build it on town property and receive money for a lease.

Misket was asked to take the suggestions she was given and present them to Verizon's engineers, and then schedule another meeting with the town council to move forward with the plans.

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