Despite a petition from 120 residents near the Skyway Plaza shopping center, a "very tall flagpole" will soon accent their horizon.

The 150-foot cell phone tower will sit at the eastern edge of the shopping center at 901 62nd Ave. S. The tower will provide up to six cell antennas and boost cell phone service to residents in the Pinellas Point area.

The Environmental Development Commission questioned representatives of Ridan Industries during Wednesday's meeting to make sure no other site could be considered in the area.

The answer was no.

When several EDC commissioners raised other issues, including whether the enhanced service was really needed, Ridan spokeswoman Lauralee Westine repeatedly and "respectfully" reminded the commission that state and federal laws restrict governments to reviewing land issues only.

That didn't stop many residents from protesting the proposed tower and accusing the Greater Pinellas Point Civic Association of ignoring the people who live near the shopping center and favoring residents in the Pink Streets and surrounding areas.

"We definitely need the tower," said John Bagg, association president.

He said Pinellas Point residents frequently have trouble getting a cell connection unless they go into their yards. And even then, Bagg said, calls frequently get dropped.

"This is an inappropriate structure," countered Barbara O'Reilley. "It is a visual blight no matter how it is disguised. The quality of life and property values will be affected."

She also complained that the neighborhood association forced many residents to pay a $20 membership fee before allowing them to vote on the proposed tower.

"The association is dominated by people living to the south at Pinellas Point. They are more than a half-mile away and do not have to live in a neighborhood with a tower," O'Reilley said.

The petition also suggested that any new construction could increase flooding in the nearby Lake Coronado neighborhood, and questioned the potential impact on health and the environment.

"The communications tower will be an eyesore to all residents in the neighborhood," the petition stated.

A letter accompanying the petition said the tower "would dominate an area of mostly modest, one-story homes" and would set a "precedent" for industrial use in a residential area.

Ridan representatives said the company "went through tremendous expense trying to be good neighbors" to reach a compromise that would satisfy the neighborhood.

The company delayed for months its formal application for a special exception and site plan for the tower. During that time, representatives met with residents and shopping center officials and decided to move the tower from its originally proposed location at the northwest corner of the center.

The cell tower base will be surrounded by an 8-foot-tall solid vinyl fence and screened by trees and shrubs.

After more than an hour of testimony and discussion, the EDC unanimously approved the new tower location.