LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i Planning Commission on Tuesday, following a recommendation from the Planning Department, denied cell phone carrier Spring/Nextel to install a 150-foot monopole resembling a pine tree next to Kaumuali‘i Highway, by Halfway Bridge. “It was just too
LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i Planning Commission on Tuesday, following a recommendation from the Planning Department, denied cell phone carrier Spring/Nextel to install a 150-foot monopole resembling a pine tree next to Kaumuali‘i Highway, by Halfway Bridge.
“It was just too massive,” said Planning Director Michael Dahilig, explaining the reason the department recommended denial of the permit. “We think there’s another way.”
It was the third time Carl Young, representing Sprint/Nextel, had come before the commission to ask for a permit.
Young on Jan. 11 appeared for the first time before the commission, when the department deemed the proposed height of the tower — 165 feet — too high. Commissioners deferred action, and asked Young to come back with a modified proposal.
A few weeks later Young said Sprint/Nextel proposed a reduction on the monopole’s height to 150 feet. But commissioners tabled the decision until the end of the meeting, and Young had to leave early.
On Tuesday, Young was back at the commission meeting. He said if the height of the tower was any lower than 150 feet, it would not provide coverage for the entire intended area.
Young also said the monopole would cover reception in approximately a three-mile area. If the area would be covered by telephone land lines, he said, there would be a pole every 150 feet, causing much more impact on the scenery.
The cost to install the monopole was too high, according to Young, but cell phone carriers are mandated by federal law to provide coverage to that area. A federal grant designated to help rural communities to get coverage would help Sprint/Nextel cover the cost of the project.
Young said the carrier was ready to commence construction if the project was approved. “We have to use the funds.”
Verizon had a nearby site approved, but hasn’t built its tower yet. The Verizon site would be located closer to the Tree Tunnel entrance, and against a mountain, minimizing the impact on the scenery.
“How long has Verizon been promising to service the public? They (Sprint) are ready to start right now,” said commissioner Hartwell Blake, the only one who voted to approve the project.
The Sprint/Nextel proposed monopole would be located on Grove Farm property, by Halfway Bridge, near the bottom of the dip on the highway.
Chair Jimmy Nishida said a tall monopine at the side of the highway, with the blue sky as the backdrop would impact the scenery. He said he was in favor of the cell phone carriers sharing a pole, each installing their own antennas on it.
The department concluded that based on the findings and evaluation, the proposed use of the property for a telecommunications facility may be appropriate and could be compatible with other uses on the property. But the height of the monopine was still an issue.
“However, even with a proposed height of 150 feet, the monopine may not be compatible with the designated scenic roadway,” county planner Ka‘aina Hull said.
Another option raised at the meeting was a site at Kaua‘i Humane Society. Young said Sprint/Nextel hasn’t contacted the organization, but another cell phone carrier may already have initiated discussions about installing a pole there.
On a separate note, the County Council approved on the same day a mayoral appointment of Wayne Katayama to replace outgoing commissioner Paula Morikami. On Wednesday, the County Council approved a resolution confirming Katayama in the commission. He was appointed to represent the business sector.
• Léo Azambuja, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or lazambuja@ kauaipubco.com.
