TLHCA

WETA tower license renewal vote – May 10

Tara Leeway residents:

The five year period for the ”use permit” for the WETA radio tower located between 19th Road and 22nd St at the base of Big Walnut Park is coming to a close soon, and WETA is applying to have its permit renewed for another five years.  This means that WETA will be applying to the County for permission to continue to host the tower for purposes of broadcast of WETA radio programming.   But WETA gets revenue from its tower as well – it rents space on the tower to other companies interested in its prime location but uninterested in erecting (or unable to afford) a tower of their own.  For example, one type of business interested in using the WETA tower is cell phone companies. 

WETA has been kind enough to solicit community feedback and support in its attempt to have its permit renewed, and  has attended two Civic Association Board meetings this year to present its case in person.  While it is very likely that the county will renew the permit, that does not mean that TLH should not make its views known about the tower.  Consequently, the Civic Association Board solicits resident input on the renewal of WETA’s permit.   During the May 10 TLH community meeting, which is open to all residents, we will present a summary of resident opinions expressed and vote on a position the community as a whole can advance to the County Board (which is the organization that will hear the case to renew the use permit).

Please send all thoughts to comments@taraleeway.org.

Note that with this use permit renewal, WETA is arguing that it not be restricted in the number of antennae it can host on the tower, but by the total amount of energy the tower emits. For your information, I have attached several pictures of the types of antennae likely to be used by companies who rent tower space from WETA  (informaton about another antenna can be found at http://www.kathrein-scala.com/catalog/739620.pdf).  Also notable is the fact that as technology advances, these antennae will only get smaller in size at the same time that they become more efficient (i.e. emit less energy). 

I look forward to reading your electronic comments and to seeing you on May 10 for the annual meeting.  The meeting will begin at 7 pm and will be held at the Westover Library, at 1644 N. McKinley Street, in the large conference room (“Westover Room”). 

Thank you very much and best regards,

Dave Shepherd

TLH CA president, 2009-2010

Cell antenna mounted atop WETA tower

Whip antenna mounted on a tower