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Council reviews proposed cell tower at Fort Myers Country Club; staff to continue negotiations and discuss alternatives
Summary
A company seeking to replace rooftop antennas being removed from a downtown building proposed a disguised monopine tower on Fort Myers Country Club property; Council heard coverage maps, lease terms and aesthetic and environmental concerns and directed staff to continue negotiating and coordinate with the Housing Authority.
City staff and a representative of TowerComm presented a proposal Monday for a replacement wireless facility after antennas on the Bon Air Building rooftop are removed during demolition. The company proposed a ground‑mounted stealth monopine on Fort Myers Country Club property at an initial draft ground lease of $42,000 per year for an initial five‑year term with multiple renewal options.
Jessica (TowerComm representative) presented coverage maps showing reduced Verizon and T‑Mobile service if the rooftop site is removed and models of the proposed monopine. She said RF engineers set the relocation radius to meet carriers' network requirements and that engineers recently ran coverage maps (the representative said the maps used maps dated within the prior week). "Both Verizon and T‑Mobile are on this rooftop, so the coverage would significantly be reduced" if not replaced, the presentation said. (TowerComm representative)
Council members raised aesthetics and environmental concerns — including bird safety and lighting — and asked whether the city's draft cell tower ordinance and bird‑friendly design standards have been incorporated; staff said a draft ordinance is under review and will go through the formal adoption process. Council members suggested aesthetic treatments used in other Florida cities (for example, tree‑form stealth structures) and requested that companies consider site designs that reduce visibility from golf course patrons.
Questions also focused on alternatives: staff reported the Housing Authority property may provide an alternative site, and there was a phone call between the carrier and the Housing Authority scheduled that day. Former Councilmember Johnny Streets, speaking during public comment, asked that adjacent neighborhood residents and country club users be given an opportunity to comment before a final decision. Council members asked whether lease revenue can be restricted for golf‑course improvements; staff replied council can direct how revenue is used.
Council discussed permitting and public hearing requirements for a lease on city property; staff said they would confirm whether the lease requires a public hearing and that the lease and draft ordinance are still under negotiation and review by the city attorney. TowerComm said lease language would require the company to remove the tower at the end of operations. No lease was approved at the workshop; staff said they will continue negotiations and coordinate with the Housing Authority and affected stakeholders.
