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Board asks Verizon for more design alternatives, continues small‑cell antenna review
Summary
Verizon presented three proposed small‑cell locations in the downtown historic areas. Staff said two locations failed right‑of‑way review; the board continued the remaining proposal at 98 Saint George Street to April 17 and requested more visual examples and building‑mounted alternatives and stressed archaeological impacts.
Verizon representatives described three proposed small‑cell locations in downtown St. Augustine at the March 20 HARB meeting and the board continued review to April 17 while asking the carrier for more design alternatives and examples from other historic districts.
Verizon said the antennas would improve capacity and coverage for high‑demand events and day‑to‑day visitor traffic. Staff reported that two proposed locations — 17 King Street and 43 Cordova Street — did not meet the city’s right‑of‑way permit requirements and therefore are not approvable as presented. The remaining location, adjacent to 98 Saint George Street and Spanish Street, is within HP‑3 and the National Historic Landmark area and would require excavation for a pole foundation and utility connections; staff noted the site is in sensitive archaeological zones and would therefore require hand‑dig monitoring and additional review by the city archeologist.
Board members asked Verizon to return with more contextual photo simulations, examples of the carrier’s installations in other historic districts (members requested images from New Orleans and Savannah), and building‑mounted or “collocation” alternatives that would avoid new freestanding poles in primary view corridors. Verizon agreed to provide additional examples and to pursue design changes; the board continued the application to April 17 so members could review those alternatives.
