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Zoning board recommends T‑Mobile tower after residents oppose; asks operator to move site 150 feet
Summary
After extensive public opposition over health, property‑value and wildlife concerns, the Santa Rosa County Zoning Board voted to recommend approval of a conditional use permit for a T‑Mobile tower at 5701 Bingham Road on the condition the tower be moved roughly 150 feet farther from nearby homes; the final decision goes to the Board of County Commissioners Dec. 11 at 5 p.m.
The Santa Rosa County Zoning Board recommended approval of a conditional use permit for a telecommunications tower on Nov. 13 after a night of technical explanation and sustained public opposition. Diamond Communications representative Jonathan Yates told the board the 10‑acre site owned by Vivian and Terry Hastings meets FAA, NEPA and other review requirements and would address gaps in T‑Mobile coverage for Harold and East Milton.
The project drew a steady stream of neighbors from Bingham Road who said they feared health risks, lower property values and wildlife impacts. "If it were to fall or fail, it wouldn't affect properties or homes," resident Jana said during public comment but added she remained concerned about property values and asked the board to deny the request. Nurse Christina Roney said she was worried about health effects for her household and asked the board to reject the tower.
Yates responded with compliance documents and an RF emissions study he said shows the facility would operate at about 1.7 percent of federal exposure limits at distances beyond 20 feet. "For every tower that is done, we have to go through a very big filing called NEPA," he said, adding the company had completed FAA review and endangered‑species and historic‑resources checks. He emphasized the coverage improvements for 9‑1‑1 and day‑to‑day phone service in the area: "Folks like their phones to work. Folks need their phones to work."
Board members spent substantial time exploring alternatives, setbacks and visual impact. Several commissioners urged the company to move the tower away from houses; the applicant agreed to pursue sliding the tower site farther onto the parcel. A motion to recommend approval that includes a condition to slide the approved tower location roughly 150 feet south — farther from the nearest homes and closer to the adjacent Florida Power & Light solar field — carried by voice vote, with the record showing a 7‑to‑1 result in favor and one commissioner opposed.
The zoning board's recommendation is advisory; the final determination will be made by the Board of County Commissioners at a Dec. 11 hearing at 5 p.m. The company indicated it will work with neighbors to refine placement and mitigation ahead of that meeting.
What happens next: The BOCC will hear the county staff recommendation and the zoning board recommendation on Dec. 11. If the BOCC approves, the applicant must still complete required permitting and NEPA/environmental clearances before construction can begin.
