Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
A potential new micro-antenna tower for broadband internet will be the subject of a Garfield Planning Commission meeting Sept. 12.
Cascade Computing of Spokane approached the town with its plan, which would require a conditional use permit.
The 30-foot tower would be placed on a plat of land owned by Garfield Mayor Ray McCown, who has deeded the land for the work. The planning commission will thus seek a variance to allow the tower and an adjacent building at the intersection of Adams and Third streets, an area zoned as residential.
The building – to house fiber optic climate control mechanisms and racks of computer servers – would be 10 feet wide by 20 feet long and nine feet tall.
“In theory, other communities could be served by this as well, at some point,” said Marcus Munn, owner of Cascade Computing. “But initially it would be just for Garfield.”
McCown previously leased the proposed site to Jim Storms to grow Christmas trees.
The agreement with Cascade Computing was simple.
“I’ve got free internet for life. That’s the deal,” said McCown.
The Garfield planning commission will now send letters to all residents living within 300 feet of the location.
The tower would work on milliwavelengths, which incorporates faster internet speeds.
“I think it’s a good thing for Garfield,” said Kevin Pickron, a member of the planning commission.
A similar tower was put up in Oakesdale in 2014 by the Port of Whitman.
“This would bring broadband internet speeds only historically available in larger cities,” said Munn. “I think it’s a win-win for our company and for the community of Garfield.”
The meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. at Garfield Town Hall.
The planning commission will ultimately make a recommendation to the town council, which will then approve or disapprove.
“We have no ordinances against (the towers), that I know of,” said McCown. “I have no concern at all.”
Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.
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