Residents Oppose Verizon Cellphone Tower Near Church

CANTON TOWNSHIP, MI – Several area residents are expected to oppose a proposal by Verizon Wireless to build a cellphone tower behind a Canton church when it goes before the planning commission next month.

The 120-foot tower behind Abundant Life Church of God, located on the west side of Hannan near Palmer, could hurt property values, intrude on wetlands, create an eyesore and potentially pose health hazards, they said.

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However, the church’s pastor, Dan Smitherman, said the $1,000 lease payments could help the church food pantry, which fees 250 to 300 people a week.

Verizon says the tower will close a service gap near Hannan and Palmer. In July, the township’s Board of Trustees denied a proposal by the cellphone service provider to build a tower on township-owned property on the east side of Fellows Creek Golf Course because residents opposed it.

“They have to demonstrate that the service is needed and that it’s a benefit to the community,” Canton Community Planner Jeff Goulet told the newspaper. “The benefit to the community would be providing continuity of cellphone services in this area.”