August 29, 2008
Contact: Virginia Hines
[email protected]
Industry Group Seeks to Further Erode Local Control of Wireless Antenna and Tower Siting;
Send Comments to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) by September 15, 2008
Background:
On July 11, 2008, CTIA, the trade association of the cellular telephone industry, petitioned the FCC to declare new limitations on local zoning authority as it affects cell tower siting. http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-08-1913A1.pdf
Specifically, CTIA requests the FCC to:
- Force municipalities to act on wireless antenna or tower zoning applications within 45 or 75 days;
- Rule that applications are automatically “deemed granted” if a local government misses the FCC’s deadline;
- Prevent municipalities from considering the presence of service by other carriers in evaluating an additional carrier’s application for an antenna site; and
- Preempt any local ordinance that would automatically require a variance for cell tower applications. (It seems this would in effect preempt wireless overlay districts.)
What You Can Do:
- Send a letter to the FCC by September 15, 2008 requesting that they do not further preempt local zoning, stating that since 1996 municipalities have spent many hours creating legitimate bylaws unique to those areas, reflecting the will of citizens where they live, work and create community. Tell the FCC that the CTIA’s requests do not reflect the will of the people; rather this is an attempt to expedite the process for telecommunication carriers to place more antennas to service new wireless products – and undo the hard work of local boards and citizens. Send to: Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th St, S.W., Washington, DC 20554.
- Send this Alert to your local Planning and Zoning Boards, Selectmen, City Council Representatives, etc., with a copy of your letter, and urge them to request that the FCC, on behalf of their local citizens, deny the CTIA’s requests.
- Forward this message to at least 5 of your colleagues, friends and family. Ask them to take action and to send the information to another 5 people. Make copies and mail or FAX to those who don’t have email.
Legal Actions Taken To Date:
On August 22, Montgomery County, Maryland, and NATOA et al. filed motions to extend these deadlines. Click here to read their Motion for Extension of Time.