Assembly hears call for tower rules as residents warn of land-use impact

The Petersburg Borough Assembly heard testimony Monday urging action on a communications tower overlay ordinance before more towers are built.

Planning Commission member Joshua Adams said Tidal Network and GCI are both seeking tower sites in Petersburg. Without clear zoning rules, the borough risks a "free-for-all," he said. The Planning Commission has developed an overlay designating borough and Forest Service land for towers, steering them away from residential neighborhoods.

Adams said lots with towers cannot support other construction because safety rules require the property to be 110 percent as wide as the tower is tall. "These towers will eat up usable lots in areas better used for housing and commerce, and that's part of our tax base," he said.

Resident Michael Klein said more than 300 people have engaged with the Planning Commission on the tower issue. He urged the Assembly to see the ordinance language before continuing negotiations with Tidal Network on the fire hall parcel. "We're going to have towers up before we even have an ordinance," Klein said.

Mayor Lynn said the borough tentatively plans to introduce the ordinance at the next Assembly meeting if it can get through the attorney. The ordinance will require three readings before adoption.

Resident Becky Knight, whose testimony was read by Judy Omer, requested a borough moratorium on cell towers and data centers until impacts can be analyzed through the National Environmental Policy Act process.

The Assembly took no action Monday. The communications tower overlay ordinance may appear on the May 18 agenda for first reading, pending attorney review.