GULF SHORES, Ala. — Once again, a discussion during a Gulf Shores work session concerning Cellular South’s plans to erect a cell tower off of Highway 59 showed opposing sides.

Last week the Gulf Shores City Council failed to pass an ordinance allowing the construction of a 95-foot tower, which would be visible from the heaviest traveled road in the city despite being set back 300 feet.

To be located behind the Del Mar Plaza shopping center, at 3757 Gulf Shores Parkway, the tower would sit directly across from Pelican Place.

Past meetings have shown concern from the council, residents and business owners of the aesthetic value of the tower. This week was no different.

“Our family has put our life savings into this property and there is no way you are going to convince me that this is going to do any thing but be a detriment to our property value,” said David Green, a neighboring business and land owner. “I am totally opposed to this.”

Green worries the tower will deter future buyers or renters from utilizing his land. A representative from Cellular South, Jerry Skipper, defended the tower, saying studies had been conducted to show it would not affect fair market value.

“I also never heard anything about the people that lease the property there,” Green said. “There’s a half a dozen people there that have got their businesses and their lifesavings staked into that location. Do they even know this is going on?”

The city sent letters to landowners within 750 feet, but Green said he doubts landowners are going to alert their tenants.

“What about the people that have long-term leases in Del Mar Plaza? Do you think they signed those long-term leases knowing that there was going to be a 100-foot tower in their back parking lot?” Green asked.

Although questioning from the council and public asked for alternative sites, Skipper said all other options have been exhausted.

Per Councilman Philip Harris’ request, Skipper expressed the company had a great need for the tower — a requirement needed to have a tower approved.

“The coverage there is embarrassingly poor for us,” he said.

The representative said homes east of Highway 59, in the Craft Farms area, had hardly any coverage and dropped calls are occurring as people drive down Cotton Creek Road.

Skipper showed a public safety need as well, with statistics of emergency phone calls. In the Jackson, Miss. area, a study showed 75 percent of emergency calls made to the sheriff’s department were made on a cell phone.

Cellular South has proposed to camouflage the tower as a flag pole, adorning an American flag, or a tree. However, the camouflage would require the tower be thicker. The council will vote on the issue again at the March 9 Council meeting.