Planning Commission maps cell tower sites to guide wireless companies

Petersburg's Planning Commission on Tuesday identified potential cell tower sites across the borough in an effort to steer wireless companies toward locations the community prefers.

The commission advanced work on an overlay zone ordinance that would let companies build towers by right at designated spots while keeping them away from residential areas.

"It's because of the community desire to choose and recommend certain sites to wireless communication companies, so as to limit surprise and have some sort of public input in the locations," Planning Commissioner Glorianne Wollen said.

The commission spent its work session circling potential sites on maps. Borough-owned land near the Baylor facility made the list. So did Forest Service property above Scow Bay and state land along Three Lakes Loop Road. Commissioners also discussed a strip along the back of industrial lots above Scow Bay and Forest Service land near Raven's Roost.

Commissioners said they would ask private property owners whether they want to be included in the overlay. One commissioner pointed to the Papke's Landing site that already has radio towers as a candidate if the owner agrees.

The overlay would allow towers up to 200 feet tall with a setback of 110 percent of the tower height from property lines. Taller towers would require conditional use permits.

Commissioners said they would work with borough staff to write legal descriptions for the identified properties and draft ordinance language. The commission expects to schedule the overlay ordinance as an action item at its June meeting before sending a recommendation to the borough assembly.