Agenda - 11-27-1995 - C-4-a - Laserfiche WebLink

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� r �l 16 4. THENM&O&M MONDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1995 Federal-local battle reaches new heights A bill in Congress would counterpro ductive." make N more difficult for o(Rep- local local governments to restrict resentatives this past summer it is construction of towers for now being reconciled with a Senate cellular hones. bill that does not include the new P restrictions on municipalities. BY YONM SMMRON "I would be very disappointed if the STAFF WRITER federal government takes that plan- While the telecommunications ning right away from the city,"saiid industry is battling for the rights to Enc a council mem- build more cellular towers,a nation- ber who led the charge to change the al survey just released,shows that zonmg regulations to create incen- 92 percent of these prickly poles are tives for the telecommunications approved by local governments. industry to locate towers in com- '1'he survey by the American plan- mercial rather than residential ning Association shows that in 230 neighborhoods. cities and counties across the coun- - " ocafbodies tend to be more sen- try,cellular towers are approved in sitive.Vk don't want these towers all less than 60 days.The results of the over our neighbothoods.11 survey come at a time when the In the American planning Associ- industry is try- atiods survey,76 percent of the eom- mg to restrict the rights of munici- mumties said they were streamlin- palities to dear applications for cel- ing their application -- -- --- - ——- aplicaioII ��to -�pl — help tTe industry - ---- - get towers - ---- A federal bill now in conference approved in less than three monft committee seeks to limit the power--- A SvefokUncrease in the number of communities to turn down tower of towel's is expected before theyear applications.If the bill becomes law, 2000.Durbam has OIN 43 such tow- a municipality thatwantedtodegya ers and Raleigh 26 since the tech- -- wer application would need to nology emerged in the mid-Us. show substantial evidence for the "We have a society that tries to denial or face a legal challenge. meet consumer demand," said The industry lobbied hard for the Matthew Andrews,who served on bill, insisting municipalities were the task force that recommended thwarting tower applications.Com- tighter tower regulations for Raleigft panes surveyed by the Cellular "Concerns lika aesthetics and safety hxhs <yAsso- are often perceived as being sec- ciation said the average approval ondary." took five months and 11 percent took Municipalities across the nation more than a year;said spokesman are fighting the proposed regulatians, 111<ic�ael Houghton. through such agencies as the "It takes us quite a long time, National Association of Counties, sornetimesyears,to getthese towers which opposes the tougher restrio- sited," said Steve Fleischer, Bell how mimcgxditie& Atlantic Corp.man."And cus- But there's been little citizen tomers are demanding service." protest so far But Jan Rothschild of the Ameri- "State and local governments can Planning Association said the understand what's happening"said industry's quest is unfounded. Susan Notkins,a board member of "We feel the claims of denial and the Potomac Conservancy,a non- delays are wildly exaggerated in profit land trust that wants to pro- order to serve a political purpose," tect the landscape from towers."The Rothschild said "The pre-emption public doesiY't understand vpt-M—t-