90-Foot Cell Phone Tower Approved in St. Peters Despite Concerns from Residents

A 90-foot cell phone tower will be built at Anthony's Produce on Jungermann Road, despite objections from residents who say it's not the right location because it's next to a daycare center and a neighborhood. 

The St. Peters Board of Aldermen approved St. Charles Tower's application for a special use permit for the tower on a 6-2 vote with Aldermen Tommy Roberts, Ward 3, and Judy Bateman, Ward 2, voting no. 

Alderman Jerry Hollingsworth, Ward 2, was the only Alderman to speak on the issue.

He said he was disappointed that locally-elected State Representatives supported a law that limits the ability of municipalities to impose certain regulations or requirements on the tower. 

House Bill 331 prohibits municipalities from imposing requirements or obligations about the appearance of facilities that are unreasonable, or rejecting a application based on perceived environmental effects of radio frequency emissions. 

The law took effect Aug. 28. 

"I will have to vote yes," he said. "The courts are backing them up."  

Several people who live near Anthony's Produce spoke out at the Board of Alderman meeting, raising concerns about property damage and questioning the need for the tower to be located in that spot. 

Eric Martin, attorney for St. Charles Tower, said tower will result in better cell phone coverage for people at a time when many people have dropped their landlines and demand has grown.