A busy part of Lincoln Crossing, near Club Lincoln is home to a quickly developing conflict over a proposed cell tower slated to be installed at the future Jimenez Park, near where the Highway 65 bypass will cross Ferrari Ranch Road.

The City Council heard the concerns Tuesday night of several Lincoln Crossing residents who were concerned with the aesthetics, health effects and necessity of installing what they say will be an eyesore.

The proposed plan calls for two 90-foot temporary towers to be built and later replaced with permanent, 110-foot structures that will also serve as light standards when the park is developed.

“The main concern of these temporary towers is how long they are going to be there,” said Damien Armitage, the Lincoln Crossing Community Association’s treasurer. He asked that the ballpark be built earlier.

That, according to City Manager Jim Estep, can’t happen, since parks are built with developer fees, and until new development comes in, no more parks will be built.

Tim Miller, a representative for ComSites West – the company that will erect the towers – said they are needed to give Lincoln Crossing proper cellular coverage and that no other sites in the area will provide that coverage while following the city of Lincoln’s ordinance to keep all cell towers at least 500 feet away from residences.

“I’m generally supportive of the idea of improving cell phone service in Lincoln Crossing,” said Lincoln Crossing resident Jake Rosenberg.

His concern, Rosenberg added, is how long it will take to get the park built.

Councilwoman Linda Stackpoole shared Rosenberg’s sentiment.

“My biggest concern is we’re going to have this temporary facility forever,” Stackpoole said.

In response to questions raised about health concerns over radiation exposure emanating from the towers, the council decided not to act Tuesday but to review the issue at its June 9 meeting, scheduled for 6 p.m. in the McBean Park Pavilion.

Mayor Spencer Short left the meeting during the discussion to prevent what he called an appearance of a conflict of interest, an action Councilman Tom Cosgrove said maintains the political purity of the discussion. Short has business dealings with a company affiliated with ComSites West.

Brandon Darnell can be reached by e-mail at brandond@goldcountrymedia.com.