Construction begins on cell tower in Wheatfield Park

Staff photo

Construction has begun on a cell tower behind the community building in Wheatfield Park.

The tower, being constructed by AT&T, is required to close a gap in wireless coverage in the area, according to AT&T officials. The original proposal for the tower was denied by the Menifee Planning Commission and the City Council, but the City Council reversed its position and approved the project in August 2020 after AT&T filed a lawsuit against the City.

The lawsuit, filed in January 2020, maintained that “the city’s actions are preempted by the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and are therefore void and invalid.” A U.S. District Court judge remanded the case to the City Council for reconsideration, leading to a a unanimous vote to approve the project.

According to AT&T representatives, the Wheatfield Park location was the only one of four potential sites in the coverage gap where the landowner agreed to lease the property for such use. The land owner is Valley-Wide Recreation and Park District, but the City of Menifee had the obligation to approve or deny the project.

Residents spoke against the tower during the City Council meetings, citing health concerns and concerns for the safety of children playing at the park.

The 70-foot cell tower will be designed to look like a clock tower, according to the plans. At the time of the August 2020 approval, city attorney Jeffrey Melching said plans did not call for the Wheatfield Park cell tower to facilitate a 5G network, which emits more radiation than the more commonplace 2G towers and is the source of public concern for the safety of residents. Melching said that city staff is not aware of any 5G cell towers in Menifee.