Collier County commissioners deny proposed 350-foot Ochoppi communications tower after tribal and public opposition

Collier County commissioners on Tuesday rejected plans to build a 350-foot emergency communications tower at the Ochoppi Fire Control Station along Tamiami Trail, citing local opposition, concerns about cultural impacts and unresolved deed-title questions.

The action came after a three-hour public hearing in which dozens of speakers — including Miccosukee and Seminole tribal members, landowners near the proposed site, environmental advocates and county staff — urged the board to reconsider the location. The board voted unanimously to deny use of the Ochoppi site and directed staff to pursue other options, including working with federal partners to preserve communications at the existing Karnstown tower.

The proposal, presented by Brandon Copper of Davidson Engineering on behalf of the applicant, called for an essential-service communications tower to serve 9-1-1, state and federal partners and to provide ancillary cellular support. "Our proposed use is a 350 foot tall emergency communications tower," Copper said during his presentation, adding the structure could include an additional 10 feet of antenna or lightning protection.

Planning staff told commissioners the Collier County Planning Commission had recommended approval at its February hearing. Mike Bosey, the county's planning and zoning director, confirmed that recommendation but told the board staff had since received a late objection letter from the Miccosukee Tribe citing the 1974 Big Cypress enabling legislation and potential impacts to tribal ceremonial lands. Bosey also noted a separate question about deed-restriction language affecting the property's grant to the county.

Commissioners and county telecommunications staff described the site as appropriate from an engineering and public-safety perspective but acknowledged outstanding legal and relationship issues. Nathan Henkel, telecommunications manager for Collier County, said the tower would support Big Cypress National Park and county emergency communications, but that identifying alternate sites had proven difficult. "This particular site ... has equipment on this tower, communications equipment for public safety. If they plowed that down today, they would also put themselves at jeopardy," Henkel said.

Multiple speakers representing the Miccosukee and Seminole communities described the area as ancestral and culturally significant. Louis Gopher, speaking for Seminole and Miccosukee people, said the proposal would "devastate the Everglades" and called for relocation of the tower. Several tribal and village residents described health and environmental concerns, potential effects on wildlife corridors and the visual intrusion of a tall tower in a large conservation area. "We must be concerned about cell tower radiation... wildlife is the canary in the coal mine," said Arthur Osland, a longtime environmentalist who spoke during public comment.

Commissioner Bill McDaniel — who initially moved to continue the item while staff explored alternatives — later made the final motion to deny use of the proposed Ochoppi site and instruct staff to pursue alternatives, including efforts to keep communications at Karnstown while any title issues are resolved. The motion passed unanimously.

The board did not direct immediate construction or removal activity at any tower and asked staff to coordinate with the National Park Service and federal partners about the Karnstown location and potential lease or relocation timing. County staff and the county attorney were also asked to review title and deed-restriction issues before any construction could be authorized at a new location.

Why it matters: The decision keeps an existing communications footprint in place while the county searches for alternatives, but it also highlights competing priorities — emergency communications infrastructure and preservation of culturally and environmentally sensitive lands — that Collier County must resolve as it expands public-safety networks.

Next steps: County staff will return with alternative site analyses and legal work on deed restrictions and title. Commissioners asked staff to include outreach to tribal leadership and to coordinate closely with federal land managers as they evaluate new locations for any replacement or supplemental tower.