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Hawaii County committee postpones telecom-antenna ordinance after public calls for testing, transparency
Summary
The County committee delayed action on Bill 194, which would update local rules for telecommunications towers and antennas, after public testimony urged emissions testing and transparency; sponsors and members agreed to consider Planning Commission proposals together on Feb. 4.
The Hawaii County Council Committee on Economic Development postponed consideration of Bill 194, an ordinance that would revise county rules for telecommunications antennas and towers, until a Feb. 4 committee meeting after public testimony urging emissions testing and greater transparency.
Supporters said the proposal aims to balance connectivity with aesthetics and public information. Naomi Melamed, Hawaii Island representative of Safetec Hawaii, urged a favorable recommendation, saying the measure “does not infringe upon federal or state law” and would increase transparency by “measuring and posting the emissions from cell towers.” Deborah Green, founding director of Safetec Hawaii, told the committee the bill “creates application requirements and standards, including setbacks and an order of priority for siting facilities” and that it…
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