LEGION TO LEASE LAND FOR TOWER

Cell phone users rejoice. The days of seeing "no service" on your mobile phone while in northern Cape Girardeau may be drawing to a close.

Wednesday, the Cape Girardeau Planning and Zoning Commission granted a special-use permit to American Legion Post 63 for a 120-foot Southwestern Bell telecommunications tower to be built on Legion property at 2751 Thomas Drive.

"What we are here for is we are having some very severe service problems with Southwestern Bell mobile phone service in Cape Girardeau," said John King, a St. Louis attorney representing the phone company.

Southwestern Bell's mobile phone coverage has been adequate along major arteries in Cape Girardeau, reported Southwestern Bell engineer Terrence Boller. However, there have been in problems in residential areas of the city.

"We haven't been able to keep up with the growth," Boller said.

While the details of the planned lease with the American Legion must be negotiated, Southwestern Bell intends to build the phone tower alongside a 300-square-foot equipment shelter at the Thomas Drive address, surrounded by a fence and landscaping.

Boller said the company has studied the possibility of installing two other cell phone towers -- one on the Southeast Missouri State University campus and one on "the south side of town in an industrial area."

No members of the public spoke on the proposal.

The commission also granted special-use permit to the Cape Girardeau Church of God to establish a child care center at 624 S. Ellis St. The center is planned to accommodate a maximum of 40 children and will be affiliated with the East Missouri Action Agency.