Planning commission approves five Verizon small‑cell utility reviews with conditions; two sites need environmental review

The Fairhope Planning Commission on an unanimous vote approved five Verizon utility reviews (UR 25.07–UR 25.11) to replace existing wooden utility poles with black “stealth” poles and to install small‑cell equipment, subject to five staff conditions. The reviews cover Oak and Summit, South Mobile and Cliff Drive, Summit (relocated), Pecan Street near Pier and South Mobile, and Bay Breeze Lane behind the Elks Lodge.

The approvals matter because the work replaces aging wooden poles, adds small‑cell telecommunication equipment to the public right of way and, in two cases, requires relocating equipment beyond 10 feet — triggering an environmental review. "Be prepared on the 3 that there aren't any changes on the drop and swap as soon as we get the permits ... could be ordered and be in for probably within 6 to 8 weeks," the Verizon representative said, describing the company’s expected schedule for the three sites that are drop‑and‑swap replacements. The representative added that the two locations moved outside of 10 feet "will have to go through a NEPA review as well and environmental. So that review takes about 90 days." (Verizon representative)

Staff listed five conditions that apply to all five reviews: hold a preconstruction meeting before any permits are issued; obtain review and approval from the right‑of‑way construction inspector; submit as‑built bills to the GIS technician for inclusion in the city's utility maps; provide a traffic control plan to the right‑of‑way inspector before work begins; contact Alabama 1‑Call to locate existing utilities; and require colocation where a viable option exists. Planning Department staff told the commission the same five conditions apply to all sites and that staff and the applicant had met with right‑of‑way supervisors to identify potential collocation opportunities.

Staff also noted a jurisdictional step: while the planning commission approves the utility reviews, the city council must still act under the city’s small‑cell ordinance. "We we approve, but we'll go to city council as well, but we actually approve," the chair said during discussion, indicating the commission’s approval will be forwarded to council for the ordinance‑required review. (Chair)

Specific site notes made at the meeting: the Summit Street pole had already been removed at the city’s request because of ongoing road work; the Pecan Street location was coordinated to remove two existing poles and add a streetlight to improve lighting near the Pier Street boat ramp; and the Bay Breeze Lane site sits behind the Elks Lodge north of Laurel Avenue. Staff said two of the proposed locations could be collocated on existing light poles (not power poles) so electrical clearance issues did not apply to those two.

Each of the five UR items was opened for questions; commissioners moved and seconded motions to approve each UR “subject to staff conditions,” and each motion passed unanimously.

Next steps are for staff to forward the approvals to the city council under the small‑cell ordinance framework and for Verizon to pursue permits; staff warned that timetable differences depend on whether a site is a drop‑and‑swap or requires a NEPA/environmental review.