St. John's city council has rejected a plan by Bell Mobility to put a cellphone tower off a road by a residential street near the city's downtown.

Coun. Tom Hann said that the city, however, may not have the final word, as the federal government can trump municipalities when it comes to the location of communications towers.

Coun. Tom Hann says the city is hoping to work with Bell to find a more suitable location for a cellphone tower. (CBC)

Residents in the area had said the proposed site was inappropriate, as it was too close to residences.

At Monday evening's meeting, councillors voted unanimously to reject an application for a tower next to homes in St. George's Court.

"We've asked them to go back to the drawing board again, however, it is federal legislation and they can go to Industry Canada for a final decision," Hann said.

Hann is hopeful that it will not have to go to that, and that a co-operative approach will find a new location that is mutually acceptable.

Hann said the tower is needed.

"We do have a problem in this city. In fact, we have one of the worst coverage problems … from what I can understand from Bell Canada," he said.