Boca Raton cell tower fight

BOCA RATON, FL -- Industry representatives say Boca Raton's effort to keep cell towers out of neighborhoods could mean spotty service for some residents.

For almost two months, attorneys for cell phone providers have lobbied against changes they say would hinder quality coverage. The city rewrote its telecommunications ordinance earlier this year as residents from the Palm Beach Farms community battled T-Mobile's plans to add a 10-foot antenna to an existing Florida Power & Light Co. tower.

The City Council put off a vote last month due to industry concerns. The issue is expected to come up at Tuesday's meeting though it may be delayed again.

"The question is first-class coverage vs. minimal coverage," said attorney Perry Adair, representing T-Mobile. According to Adair, the city's ordinance as written says "we don't want great coverage and I think that's the wrong way to look at it."

City officials have said the ordinance does not prohibit cell phone companies from providing coverage but were reviewing changes the industry proposed last week. Today, they were scheduled to meet with the city's wireless attorney about the industry's edit of the more than 30-page ordinance, according to an e-mail from City Manager Leif Ahnell.

Deputy Mayor Susan Haynie said she wants more information before voting. Of particular concern is ensuring cell phone calls made to 911 go through.

"I want the full story regarding that," Haynie said. "I want to see the map that shows all providers' service locations and if there are any blank spots. I think everyone on the council supports strong 911 coverage. I feel we can provide that and still be sensitive to the neighborhoods."

The city's ordinance sets up a hierarchy of preferred zoning districts for cell towers and antennas, with industrial and warehouse districts on top. There are at least five other districts -- including commercial and business -- that should be considered before residential.

Adair said cell towers and antennas may need to go in some neighborhoods to provide good coverage.

The ordinance, he said, only allows them there if there is no coverage at all in the neighborhood. The cell phone provider would have to prove they could not put a tower or antenna in any other zoning district and still provide service to an area.

Gene Folden, vice chairman of the city's Telecommunication Advisory Board, doesn't dispute the need for a hierarchy of where towers and antennas should go. But he, too, is concerned about coverage, especially with more people using their cell phone as their only phone.

"Whatever they do, they need to do it in a manner that would assure residents and customers of various carriers that they will receive the level of service they need," Folden said of the City Council.

From our news partners at South Florida Sun-Sentinel