Planners to rule on structure

The city of La Grande Planning Commission will decide next Tuesday whether to grant a Pendleton company permission to build a communications structure in east La Grande.

Juniper Hill Properties, through a Pendleton-based Internet company called Wtechlink, Inc., wants to build a 70-foot tower next to the Morrow County Educational Service District building at 2708 Adams Avenue.

The structure will provide dedicated Internet access to the Cove School District, and other school districts, according to a report submitted by the applicants. Application for the CUP was made Sept. 16, with the city’s staff report finished Tuesday.

The tower will be used to support a point-to-point microwave system that will provide a much-needed Internet bandwidth upgrade to the Cove School District and other school districts as well.

Wtechlink says tower construction should have no effect  on use of the surrounding properties.

The area is zoned General Commercial. Other property uses along Adams Avenue in the neighborhood include commercial and agricultural businesses, a large power station and a church.

The city’s staff report says no public comments or concerns have been submitted related to the CUP request.

The planning commission meeting is slated for 6 p.m. Tuesday in council chambers at City Hall, 1000 Adams Ave.

No other items of new business are on the agenda, nor are there items of unfinished business.

The agenda calls for city planner comments and commission comments.