SPANISH FORT, Ala.—The Planning Commission during an informal work session Tuesday got its first taste of potential plans for a cell phone tower to be constructed on the Causeway.

Lester Boihem of Two-Way Communications Co. presented preliminary schematics for a potential tower proposed for construction on property purchased recently by the nonprofit Archangel Radio. The site already includes a building and two AM antennas, but Boihem would like to proceed with construction of a 150-foot tower with the capacity to handle five carriers with as many as 12 antennas each.

Boihem said he has commitments already from two cell companies and interest from two others who are waiting only for a site to be determined to sign on. Building Official Bruce Renkert confirmed another company has expressed interest in building a tower on property behind R&R Seafood on the Causeway, but representatives of that company were not present during the informal work session.

Boihem said his tower would be 30 feet shorter than the existing radio station antennae, and that he will work in concert with city regulations to minimize the visual impact.

“We’ll blend in with whatever,” Boheim said.

Commissioners expressed concern with the coverage area displayed on one of Boihem’s handouts because it undoubtedly leaves large portions of the Causeway uncovered while concentrating more heavily on Interstate 10.

“It’s nice to help those folks passing through from Miami to Dallas, but we’re concerned with the people who live right here. We have to be responsible to the citizens here,” said Commissioner J.R. Smith.

Other commissioners, including Vice Chairman Bernard Davis, pounded home the fact the city intends to approve no more than one such tower, so the coverage area must place highest priority on reaching local residents.

City Attorney David Conner asked Boihem to consider whether the height of the tower could be increased and whether the orientation of the towers can be manipulated to maximize signal strength.

Boihem said he understood the concerns and noted that the map projections provided represented only one, smaller provider because the others were unable to make the meeting’s deadline.

In other business, the commission:

The next regular meeting of the Planning Commission will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 8 at the Spanish Fort United Methodist Church Prodisee Center, immediately following a 6 p.m. work session.

An informal work session will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, June 29in the conference room at City Hall.