City to reconsider communications tower permit

A proposal to put up a 100-foot communications tower at 513/519 S.W. Taylor remains alive, despite Topeka’s mayor and city council’s having voted 6-4 on April 2 to reject it.

The mayor and council did not appropriately dispose of the matter because votes from seven members are required to overturn a recommendation by the Topeka Planning Commission, which recommended they approve the measure, Topeka attorney Glenda Cafer — representing AT&T — noted April 24 in a letter to Topeka City Attorney Lisa Robertson.

The mayor and council are consequently scheduled to consider reconsidering the matter when they meet at 6 p.m. May 7 in their chambers at 214 S.E. 8th, according to the agenda for that meeting made public last week by the city. City Planning Director Bill Fiander had recommended the mayor and council approve the permits for the properties on Fairlawn and S.E. 29th but deny the one on S.W. Taylor. He said the latter area was economically distressed and the tower’s presence could discourage investment there.