St. Charles Tower Tries Again to Build Cell Tower At Anthony's Produce

St. Charles Tower, Inc. has applied for a second time to build a 90-foot stealth telecommunications tower at Anthony's Produce in St. Peters. 

The St. Peters Board of Alderman failed to approve the application for a special use permit at the July 25 meeting, with three voting in favor, three opposed and two absent. 

The company is coming back to the city just days after a new state law took effect which limits the ability of local municipalities to regulate locations of cell towers. 

Gov. Jay Nixon signed HB 331 into law in July. The legislation was opposed by the Missouri Municipal League and supported by AT&T. 

St. Charles Tower Attorney Eric Martin asked the Planning and Zoning Commission to again consider the application to place the tower at Anthony's Produce. 

He said that St. Charles Tower had already had two lengthy public hearings on the issue to find ways to meet concerns of the public, including moving the tower further away from a childcare center. 

"We wish to present this to the Board of Aldermen gain with all members present," he said. 

The Planning and Zoning Commission on Sept. 4 voted to recommend the Board of Alderman vote down the special use permit. Planning and Zoning Commissioner Keith McNames suggested that the tower would have a negative impact on the surrounding area. 

Shirley Michael, 81, spoke out again against the proposal during the public hearing Wednesday and against the new state law. Michaels said no one wants to live that close to a 90-foot cell tower. Her property backs Anthony's Produce. 

"We won July the 25, 2013 at the Alderman meeting. We felt good that we had our chance, that we were listened to. We had got our word out about what's happening behind closed doors. It doesn't pass the smell test. We have to stand up for our rights," she said.  

Before the commissioners voted, McNames suggested St. Charles Tower consider placing the tower in the parking lot across Jungermann Road from Anthony's Produce. He also suggested a few different places on the Anthony's Produce property. 

"I know St. Charles Tower wants to be a good neighbor to the community and a good neighbor to the residents, if you've got a quarter mile, a half mile, you ought to take a look at it."

Martin asked the commission to consider the current application. He said the company would be willing to locate the tower wherever the city wanted on the property.