Irvington Neighborhood Scores Victory Over Clearwire
It’s halted construction of a utility pole to hold wireless antennas at NE Stanton and 22nd following pressure by the neighborhood association
November 23, 2010 -- After Portland’s City Council turned its back on a moratorium that would have regulated utility poles holding wireless antennas, Irvington residents have reason to celebrate.
Clearwire has suspended plans to replace a utility pole at NE Stanton and 22nd Ave. with a pole that’s 15 feet higher to provide denser Internet coverage. Its decision followed a request by the State’s Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) for more details about how that pole would impact the Irvington neighborhood, which is an historic preservation district.
“The SHPO response was really driven by the neighbor’s awareness of the issues,” said Kirk Ranzetta, an independent consultant hired by the Irvington Community Association to evaluate Clearwire’s application. “They’re very proactive. That made a world of difference.”
Neighbors, who began organizing earlier this year, feared the pole and antenna would impact their quality of life, health and the character of their neighborhood. They’re part of a growing movement in Portland opposed to utility poles with wireless antennas.
In historic areas, companies such as Clearwire are required by federal law to submit an application to the SHPO showing how the neighborhood would be affected and that alternative sites were considered.
After Clearwire sent in the application, SHPO asked for more information about the pole’s appearance, but the company declined to respond, said Julie Osbourne, a preservation specialist with the historic preservation office. “Usually the more dense the area, the more questions I have.”
Ranzetta also found “a number of deficiencies” in Clearwire’s application. The company didn’t identify all the historic properties in Irvington, provide enough information about alternative sites or adequately seek public input.
It’s unclear if Clearwire has permanently halted plans since their officials didn’t respond to The Lund Report by press time.
“I’m cautiously optimistic, but still concerned they may put an antenna up there,” says Steve Cole, an Irvington resident.
Nevertheless, Deena Raphael, who also lives in the Irvington area, intends to continue pressuring the City Council to regulate cell phone poles in the public right of way.
“Portland needs to be responsible and make changes that are best for the citizens,” said Raphael, who’s bothered that the regulatory process for utility poles is fragmented among so many different federal, state and local agencies.
“There’s no cohesive approach, and that’s really frustrating,” she said. “Everyone has to fight it individually.”
Meanwhile Raphael, who would have lived 200 to 400 feet from the pole, couldn’t be more pleased that Clearwire has halted construction. “I’m thrilled,” she added.
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All affected Portland neighborhoods with any kind of "historic" designation (federal and/or state) should insist that the wimax carrier submit Form 620 to Oregon's SHPO (State Historic Preservation Office). AND neighborhood associations and individuals need to request, in writing, to the wimax carrier and the SHPO that they be included as "consulting party status" with any/all negotiations and mediation going forward. This may help communities slow/stop the wimax tower process in residential neighborhoods ~ until the time that the Portland Commissioners (Miss Fritz in particular) see fit to adopt a stricter ordinance that gives us more control over what happens in the public right-of-way.