While not as proliferate as business signs, cellular towers are becoming one of those “necessary evils” we must contend with in the 21st century.

The cell phone industry through the years has made some progress in stealth technology in an attempt to masquerade the equipment, but at times the faux saguaros, palm trees and pine trees stick out more like sore thumbs than truly blending into the surrounding landscape.

Especially when the towers are 65 feet high.

That’s the dilemma the Town Council found itself in recently when reviewing a special use permit for a faux palm tree at Van’s storage yard for some T-Mobile equipment. Everyone knows smart phones are becoming rather standard today, and everyone wants to help the utility companies provide comprehensive coverage and service.

Yet, on the other hand, a government entity such as the Town of Fountain Hills shouldn’t feel boxed into a corner in terms of having to approve every application that comes in for communication towers.

As with signs, the town wants to be “business friendly,” yet such things as aesthetics and citizen concerns shouldn’t be sacrificed simply in the name of economic ease.

Each application for a cell phone tower, for example, needs to stand on its own merits and should meet all of the town requirements. Blanket approvals should not be expected just because a myriad of other applications have been processed.