By Bill Pike

For the first time, an application to build a cellular telephone tower in Jefferson County has been rejected.

Citing questions about need, the Louisville Metro Planning Commission voted 7-0 last week with three abstentions to deny a request by Elite Electrical Contractors to build a 180-foot tower at 7201 Global Drive, at the edge of Riverport.

The commission noted that Elite had not lined up any cell-phone providers to install equipment on the tower. “The applicant needs to establish a need,” commission member Donnie Blake said.

Chris Ray, who owns Elite, said cell phone service in the area is “suffering” and needs improving.

He said he would not construct a tower without a commitment from a provider but that there are no structures or buildings in the area tall enough to serve cell phone equipment.

“We have to go outside to use the phone,” Ray said of his company, which has two office-warehouse buildings and plans a third on 2.7 acres that includes the proposed tower site.

Michael Harris, an engineer who worked on the application, said Ray has been negotiating with a provider, but declined to identify the company.

Two nearby residents objected the tower.

Virginia Bowles, who said it would be less than 500 feet from her back yard on Burrice Court, likened it to “a giant erector set.” She feared the tower would produce radiation.

Nicki Hillerich, Bowles’ next-door neighbor, said the tower would raise safety issues and feared it would be used for radio transmissions if cell phone providers don’t use it.

Harris said the tower would not threaten neighbors’ health and would not pose a safety hazard because nearby homes would be outside its “fall radius.” He also said only cell phone providers would use the tower.