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Commissioners deny special exception for 99‑foot telecom tower near Old Myakka church
Summary
The board voted 5–0 to deny a special exception that would have allowed a 99‑foot monopole telecom tower on the Old Myakka Church property. Neighbors and the church expressed strong opposition, citing historic character, proximity to residences and health and property‑value concerns. The planning commission had recommended denial previously.
The Board of County Commissioners denied Special Exception 19O3 on May 20, voting 5–0 against a proposed 99‑foot monopole telecommunications tower on the Old Myakka Church property near Myakka Road.
The applicant, represented by attorney James Johnston and tower owner SCI Partners, said Verizon needs coverage in the area and presented RF analyses and a proposed design that would include antenna shrouds and a decorative cross emblem to visually tie the structure to the church. The applicant said the nearest tower is roughly five miles away and that local coverage and 9‑1‑1 reliability would improve with the new site.
Opponents included the church pastor and multiple Old Myakka residents. Martha Blackburn Palmer said the church property had been donated to the congregation for use as “a place of divine worship” and argued a commercial telecommunications tower would be incompatible with that use. David Talby, an appraiser the applicant retained, testified his studies had not found property‑value impacts from towers; residents disputed that conclusion and cited studies and local impacts they feared.
Neighbors raised concerns about proximity to homes (several speakers said residences lie within a few hundred feet), visual impacts to a historic rural landscape and the absence of a willing community host. The county’s planning commission had recommended denial by a 6–0 vote in February. Commissioner John Smith moved to deny the special exception; Commissioner Theresa Mast seconded the motion. The board denied the petition unanimously.
County staff will prepare a resolution of denial for formal adoption at a subsequent meeting and the applicant may pursue other options under local and federal review processes. The board’s vote ends the application for the proposed monopole at the Old Myakka Church site unless the applicant re‑submits or appeals.
