Topeka Planning Commission recommends allowing three tall communications towers

All members of the public who spoke at Monday evening’s meeting of the Topeka Planning Commission asked the city to keep AT&T Wireless from putting up tall communications towers at proposed locations here.

But planning commissioners subsequently voted to recommend the city’s governing body approve each of three permits allowing such towers at 513/519 S.W. Taylor, 730 S.W. Fairlawn Road and 2446 S.E. 29th.

Almost all those speaking in opposition Monday were neighbors in the areas involved who shared concerns the proposed towers might cause them health problems, or described them towers as eyesores that would devalue their property.

But planning commission chairwoman Katrina Ringler said federal law bans local governments from restricting the placement of telecommunications equipment such as cell towers and antennas based on health and environmental concerns.

“We’re looking at strictly the planning and zoning criteria when we’re looking at these cases,” she stressed.

Planning commissioner Marc Fried said those who object to the rules regarding communications towers need to speak to their state and federal legislators instead of local officials, “because our hands are bound.”