Amid some frustrations with the status of wireless coverage in Lake Forest, a formal examination of the issue is about to start.
On April 7, the City Council authorized a contract with Kimley-Horn Engineering for an independent analysis of wireless coverage and capacity in Lake Forest. The contract is for nearly $18,500, with close to another $6,500 in place in case additional work or research is necessary.
The City Council voted 6-0 as Alderman Pete Clemens (1st) was absent and Alice LeVert (3rd) abstained as she works for a telecommunications company, according to a city spokeswoman.
The City Council took the action following complaints from some residents, business owners and schools about inadequate service, specifically in the fourth ward. That area encompasses the city’s southwest section.
Responding to complaints, last year the city’s plan commission held two public hearings examining whether to recommend amending the city’s municipal code to allow wireless infrastructure in certain parts of the fourth ward. That is not allowed under current zoning regulations.
Both meetings were highly attended with some people advocating for the installation of a new tower near the Telegraph Road railroad station. However, others objected citing several reasons including health fears, questioning the actual scope of the problem and the aesthetics of a large structure in the area.
In November, the City Council tabled the discussion and asked staff to search for an independent consultant with a goal of getting a broader examination of the issue.
“The direction from the City Council really was to find a way to optimize coverage, capacity and quality of wireless service while at the same time minimizing any visual impact,” Community Development Director Catherine Czerniak said.
At the recent City Council meeting, Czerniak said the city issued three requests for proposals. The first response didn’t generate many responses and the second request contained many proposals from companies with affiliations with either a tower builder or a wireless company.
After altering the request a third time, the city received four applications with the Kimble-Horn bid of under $19,000 at the lowest end to the highest one coming in at $170,000. Czerniak noted her concerns of the higher bids as she sensed they came with a “solution” to the problem before a thorough examination of the issue.
“Given the public interest in this and the amount of public testimony it seemed important to come in at the beginning and identify the problem and not immediately jump to a solution,” she told the City Council.
With the contract approval, Czerniak stated Kimley-Horn would provide an initial analysis of the city’s cell phone service, starting with the fourth ward. She added that could lead to a second phase of analysis depending on the information the engineering firm ascertains.
“We need to think about the most efficient and effective way to fill in our grid of wireless infrastructure,” Czerniak said.
Once the first phase of study is completed, the firm could identify options to improve the service including the use of new technologies, types of equipment being used and feasible locations to install any new equipment.
Moreover, Czerniak added this would be an opportunity for the city to look at its role in the process as it does not provide service, but it can facilitate companies to enter the Lake Forest market. She listed possible changes including the amending the city code or a look at the use of city property.
The City Council is now tentatively scheduled to receive an initial report from Kimley-Horn in June with additional reports possible in the future.
“This phase is really setting the groundwork,” Czerniak said.
Mayor Stanford “Randy” Tack supported the course of action.
“I think it is pretty ridiculous that a community like this has service of the level that we have,” he said. “We need to study what would be required for us to get there before we make any decisions on actually getting there.”
Daniel I. Dorfman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
