Historical September–October 2020 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
An email exchange among neighbors prompted some research into what is happening with Verizon’s new “small cell poles” to provide 5G service and Wi-Fi access.
These new fixtures are planned to be replacing the current “cobra” light poles in our neighborhood, as well as all across the city. One of the first in SD is at 6063 Westminster.
This pole is located adjacent to the Rosedale “barricade” between 6100 and 6000 blocks of Westminster.
A workman identifying sites recently alarmed residents by suggesting that there would be trenching and tree removal.
This led to an email exchange among neighbors of both blocks.
According to Ald. Heather Navarro, the cell service providers(Verizon, ATT) went to Jefferson City and got a new law passed that allows them to do this.
The city attempted to stop them with a Board of Public Service resolution to stall permits. BPS is doing all it can during the moratorium (which expires in November) to give the city a say in regulating these poles, but right now it’s our state legislators that have tied our hands. “If the city doesn’t issue the permits, the providers argue that they are violating state law. We’re looking at this from every angle in the meantime,” said Ald. Navarro.
The new state statute explicitly excludes utility poles from even Historic District regulations, which former Alderman Dan McGuire argues should take precedence.
The city’s Technology Officer Roberet Gaskill-Clemmons, who is based in the Mayor’s Office, is working to manage this new development, which basically privatizes our light poles.
A private company, XG, has been hired to manage the new poles, which will be owned by the city but maintained by the cell companies.
There are already over 100 of them in various places in the city. One is at 4400 Maryland (pictured here). Gaskill-Clemmons also wants to make sure that the poles expanding the cell service will be placed in the neighborhoods which now have poor Wi-Fi service, especially important now that so many children are being schooled at home. Trees will not be removed during the placement of new light/ cell poles.
The poles also have the capability to have security cameras installed and pedestrian lights, both of which are not automatically done and which will be done with neighborhood input. Health issues related to radiation have also been raised, and this is an ongoing concern for many, as the proliferation of cell phones has already caused concern.
As of now, the city and state cannot negate something which the EPA and FCC have deemed safe. Although it may be a moot point, due to the utilities’ having achieved state legislation, one question is whether any protection is provided by our historic district ordinances. Dan McGuire, who previously served as alderman for the 28th ward, reminded us that “After all, streets and rights-of-way ARE included in historic districts. Section 24.04.030 of the Revised Code of the City of St. Louis pertaining to Cultural Resources and Historic Districts states, “‘Improvement’ means any building, structure, parking facility, street, highway, walk, fence, landscaped area, gate, wall, work of art or other object, the use of which requires a location on a parcel of land and which constitutes a physical betterment of, attachment to, or alteration of real property, or any part of such betterment, attachment or alteration.” Further, pursuant to Section 17.02.510 of the Revised Code, “ ‘Street’ means the entire width between the adjacent property lines of every way, including a controlled access highway, but not an alley.
The right-of way is part of the street!
While City, State & Federal governments and, in some cases, certain other public entities, are exempt from complying with Zoning and Historic District ordinances (that’s one reason why we no longer have “brick streets and gas lanterns for street lights”) – private, for-profit companies (like “wireless providers”) are NOT!” Permits: Section 24.20.010 – Permit required in historic district or landmark/landmark site: no owner or other person shall construct, demolish or alter any designated feature or exterior architectural feature with respect to any improvement situated within an historic district, …unless a permit obtained therefore from the Building Commissioner.
The Building Commissioner shall immediately upon receipt of any such application for permit forward a copy of such application to the Cultural Resources Office for review.” McGuire has suggested that our alderperson(s) request that “BPS revoke the modified utility pole permit for 6063 Westminster since it was not issued consistent with state law & city ordinances pursuant to Article XIII, Section 5 (b) of the City Charter.” These new cell poles are, in the opinion of many, subject to any applicable zoning requirements that are consistent with sections 67.5090 to 67.5103. We’ve posted ordinances and state law on our website, http://www.sdtimes. For up to date information, contact SDCC, Alderperson Navarro (28th ward) or Alderperson Hubbard (26th ward).
Original photograph caption
New five G light pole at forty four hundred Maryland.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, September–October 2020.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Archival transcription note: Front page jump says page two, actual continuation is page five. Printed website http://www.sdtimes lacks domain suffix. Original Roberet name spelling retained.
Original source: SD_Times2020_09.pdf, printed page(s) 1, 5; PDF page(s) 1, 5.
