GRAND RAPIDS PRESS:  MetroPCS withdraws requests for cellular antennas on GR steeple, school chimney.  Click here to read the story on MLive.com

This is an excellent story and very encouraging.  In summary, MetroPCS wanted to place cellular antennas atop a church steeple and school chimney.   The city planning requirements in Grand Rapids required MetroPCS to camoflouge these antenna.  MetroPCS stated that doing so would diminish the effectiveness of the antennas, and had intended to appeal on this basis.  It now appears that they will reevaluate the need for the new antennas. 

This photo may provide some context for the Grand Rapids request.  This photo depicts 3 new MetroPCS antennas atop the apartment building at 550 W. Crosstown Parkway in Kalamazoo.   As in Grand Rapids, MetroPCS had to seek a dimensional variance in order to install the antennas.  Minutes of the June 11, 2009 meeting of the Kalamazoo Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) indicate that MetroPCS felt their "application conform[ed] to the wireless section of the ordinance," and that it "appli[ed] to the spirit of the ordinance" as well.   The "wireless section" that he referred to is 4.2W in the zoning ordinance.  Paragraph 4 of that section deals with requirements related to collocating antenna(s) on existing structures.  It specifically requires that "the color of antennas blends with with existing structure and surroundings."


Take a look at the photo.  The antennas were painted to match the color of the brick.  MetroPCS represented that their new antennas atop this building would conform to the letter and spirit of the ordinance.  You be the judge.  Did they keep their promise?

I want to be clear on this.  I beleive the ZBA acted in good faith as it relates to the ordinance and to MetroPCS.  I also beleive that MetroPCS did not live up to this good faith, as is evidence by the ramshackle appearance of their new antennas at 550 W. Crosstown Parkway.

The minutes of the June 11 ZBA meeting also indicate that :
                                                           44 notices were sent to nearby residents
                                                           Nobody sent any response in opposition
                                                           nobody spoke in opposition

Compare this with what happend in Grand Rapids.  People spoke up in opposition.  The Press picked up the story, and MetroPCS recognized the wisdom in withdrawing their application.  I applaud their decision, and I call upon MetroPCS to make the same wise decision regarding their application for variance at 1609 Whites Rd in Kalamazoo.