In the aftermath of the Northern Illinois shooting, Urbana City Council members approved a new ordinance giving a Special Use Permit to T-Mobile Communications allowing the use of nine panel antennas. The antennas will allow better reception in the campus area and will better assist communication during emergencies.

Being first presented by the Plan Commission in February 2007, the antennas will soon go on WILL studio’s existing telecommunications tower located on 1110 W. Main St. The panels will sit 125 feet above ground on the 250-foot tower. The Special Use Permit was required as a result of the tower being in a residential area.

The antennas were a lot lower on the tower when they were first installed. But the combination of another WILL tower and interference between the old antennas and a transmitter in Monticello, Ill., created a problem for both communication and residents.

“It was a big inconvenience for a lot of the residents having trouble with reception,” Mayor Laurel Prussing said. “The smaller tower will stay there, however, since WILL still uses it.”

Working toward an installation by the end of the year, the Plan Commission wants to begin as quickly as possible to avoid further communication problems. Lisa Karcher, a city planner, said that although the antennas need to be put in by the end of the year, their installation would not put the area’s character at risk.

“The improved T-Mobile service will do many new and beneficial things for the community as far as safety,” she said. “It will increase productivity, convenience and will make it easier to pass along and access important information.”

Also discussed

The Council approved an ordinance relating to mutual aid with the city of Urbana and with the University of Illinois to provide fire services. Urbana would be the first responder in areas south of Windsor Road, and the city of Champaign will provide automatic assistance under the Mutual Aid Agreement.