Residents from an area eyed for a 200-foot communications tower met Thursday night in a tense, sometimes confrontational exchange with Denver officials.
Charles Friedman of the Southmoor Park East neighborhood association likened the situation to the flap over U.S. port security.
“That’s exactly what it is. You’re trying to do something which is not necessary, that affects the entire city.”
The debate centers on a proposed network of communication towers that emergency responders say are needed to eliminate “dead spots” in their radio systems.
Five of the six proposed sites are in less-visible locations, such as atop buildings. But in the Hillcrest area, in southeast Denver, the city plans to build a roughly 20-story tower.
On Thursday, residents expressed their dismay at being made to feel as though they were not concerned about safety officers, when their concern was really about the tower.
Tricia Starr, a mother of three, said she wants to protect officers, “but what about my children,” referring to health concerns of living under a tower. “Am I supposed to call you at the hospital when they are dying?”
City officials responded that it would be just as negligent to have an officer killed because of communication gaps.
The meeting continued in that fashion, marked by interruptions, assertive tones and pointed questions.
Peggy Lehmann, the councilwoman in whose district the proposed tower would be located, said she understood residents’ concerns.
But even she grew frustrated.
“You think I’m happy that you guys (would be) living next door to something you think is going to give you cancer?” she asked. “Are you crazy? … There is no good answer.”
Southmoor Park East association president Fred Jorgensen said his group would use its resources to file a lawsuit.
The City Council on Wednesday agreed to take 90 days to review viable sites for another tower, but if one is moved, others must also be adjusted.
A change to a zoning ordinance that would allow emergency towers throughout the city will be considered by the full City Council this month.
Staff writer George Merritt can be reached at 303-820-1657 or gmerritt@denverpost.com.
