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.

Why an Overlay Zone

The overlay zone would give the borough a say in where towers go without running afoul of federal law that bars outright bans on wireless facilities. Companies could review a map of approved sites and pick locations that meet their technical needs.

"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.

Private Property in Play

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.

For owners with large lots, the overlay could cover just the back portion. That would let an owner sell a slice of land to a wireless company while keeping the rest of the property free of towers. The overlay would spare those owners the conditional use permit process.

Height and Setback Rules

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. Some sites near the airport may face Federal Aviation Administration setback requirements.

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.

Property owners will have a chance to weigh in during the public notice process. The commission will use that feedback to decide which private parcels to include in the final overlay map.