Assembly advances cell tower ordinance requiring conditional use permits

The Petersburg Borough Assembly voted 7-0 Monday to advance an ordinance regulating wireless communication facilities on first reading. The ordinance shifts cell towers from by-right uses to conditional uses requiring Planning Commission review.

Ordinance 2026-12 establishes a siting hierarchy that prefers co-location of new antennas on existing towers, buildings, or utility structures over construction of new standalone towers. Applicants must demonstrate that higher-priority options are not technically or economically feasible before the borough can approve a new tower. The ordinance also requires applicants proposing new towers to provide alternate sites and explain why those sites were not feasible.

Assembly Member Tony Newman clarified that once the ordinance passes, it does not apply retroactively to companies that have already applied in their permitting process with the Federal Communications Commission.

Planning and Zoning Director Liz Cabrera said the Planning Commission was involved on the front end and provided an outline of what they recommended. The ordinance presented to the assembly is the fleshed-out version of that outline. The Planning Commission set separation distances, setbacks, and other parameters.

Cabrera warned that the ordinance structure is complex and changes to one section may require amendments throughout. The ordinance attempts to address public concerns about siting by establishing the hierarchy while remaining consistent with the Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 and related regulations.

The ordinance covers wireless communication facilities as well as non-WCF facilities such as radio and television broadcast towers. It provides exemptions where federally required and for personal uses like ham radio antennas and satellite dishes.

The ordinance still allows towers only in commercial and industrial districts but changes them from a by-right use to a conditional use. Conditional uses trigger public notice and Planning Commission review and approval.

Assembly Member George Martin asked whether the public could propose changes during the three-reading process. Cabrera said the public hearing at the next assembly meeting would be the opportune time to come forward with suggestions. She warned that changing one thing might require amendments to other sections.

Assembly members urged residents with detailed thoughts to submit them in writing to the assembly or to Cabrera before the public hearing. The assembly must amend the ordinance through the amendment process. Staff cannot change it once presented.

The public hearing is scheduled for June 1. Any written comments must reach the clerk by noon May 25 to be included in the June 1 packet. The ordinance requires two additional readings before final adoption.